Scrappin' With Tammy

More birthday wishes, a money bouquet and a recipe...

2012-02-12T20:31:00.000-06:00

I have some more birthday wishes to send out - this time it's for my youngest niece for her Golden Birthday! She turned 11 on Saturday :) I waited until today to post so I had a couple of photos to share with you. I just loved her birthday ~~cake~~ cupcakes. How cool of an idea is that?

Did you notice the bouquet sitting next to her and her cake? No? Well, here's a better picture of it.

She wanted money for her birthday (I know she's saving up for a camera of some sort) but I couldn't just give her plain old ordinary cash. She's my crafty niece, so I had to get crafty, too. I think my little creation turned out pretty neat.

I just accordion folded the money and held it all together with floral wire through the buttons - no adhesive whatsoever so it should be pretty easy for her to take apart when the time comes to spend the money...either that, or it's a good way to get her to save her money :)

A card you say? Oh yeah, I totally scraplifted this one from my friend Lynn! Thanks for the great idea, it turned out pretty cute :)

I also made these BLT roll-ups to bring along to the birthday party. They were a fun change from the normal roll-ups that I make. They were so easy to do, too...just my style :)

I'll even share the recipe with you:

8 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup mayo
Mix together and add:
about 1/2 to 1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup or so of chopped tomatoes

Spread on flour tortillas (I used about 7 of them, but it all depends on how thick you spread the filling). Top with shredded lettuce. Roll up and slice into pieces.

See, I told you they were easy, peasy!

Happy Scrappin'

May and June calendar pages

2012-02-09T06:45:00.000-06:00

Here are my calendar pages for May and June...

You may remember my post from last year's birthday, I just had to make a page about all those pink flamingos!

Happy Scrappin'

Birthday Wishes

2012-02-08T06:13:00.000-06:00

Today's post brings Happy, Happy Birthday Wishes to my Lil' Sister! She has been my rock through thick and thin and I don't know what I'd have done without her and her family! Happy Birthday, Tracey!

Today also brings you a couple more calendar pages. Here are my March and April pages.

Happy Scrappin'

January Calendar Page

2012-02-04T07:49:00.000-06:00

Remember I said I had been busy? And I said that I had created? Well, here is an example of both. I created a 12x12 calendar to hang up in my house. Here is the January page I made.

Now, as I was creating, I finished each page - complete with photos and everything. I did go month by month, but the photos come from the previous year. After the year is complete, I can remove the layouts and put them in my scrapbook - how cool is that? I just love the CTMH monthly calendars. They give you nice big squares to write all your important events in. If you are like me, you've gotta write it all down or you'd forget! I live by my calendar (providing I take the time to actually look at it :) Just take a look at how many days are filled up on mine...and this is only January! Can you see now why I hadn't posted a whole lot in January?

Here is my February page, too. And remember, you can always click on the photos to see them up close.

Stay tuned and I'll show you the rest of my calendar!

Happy Scrappin'

Thoughtful Tidings February Stamp of the Month

2012-02-03T05:40:00.000-06:00

Today I have artwork to show you...yes, I have finally created! Actually I have been quite busy, but just have not had the time to post all that I have done. I have been a busy girl :)

I used the February Stamp of the Month, Thoughtful Tidings on all this artwork and also some of the papers from the "Super Hero" paper pack in the new Idea Book. This stamp set has lots of images that coordinate with our Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, too...added bonus :)

I even created a little envelope/pocket for some added journaling or another picture on my layout.

I just love making these pinwheel flowers and they look kinda cool on this card.

Here I used a faux stitching technique on my card. Very easy to do and I really liked the results :)

A very simple card...

Happy Scrappin'

Another brand spanking new Idea Book!

2012-02-02T17:32:00.000-06:00

Here we are into February already, can you believe it? I know I sure can't! Where does the time go?

As of yesterday, we have a brand spanking new Idea Book for you. If you have not looked at it yet, you really need to, there are soooo many wonderful new things in there for you. Get a hold of me right away if you want a hard copy of it, otherwise, you can always go to my website to view it online. Just look at the cover.,..how does Corporate do it every time?

In addition to the great new Idea Book, they also have another awesome Studio J promo going on right now until the end of February.

Double your layouts with our Five for Free promotion! For each Studio J 5-pack you purchase this month, you'll get one free 5-pack. That means you get 10 layouts for just $55 - that's just $2.75 per page, with free shipping! Even if you're already taking advantage of Studio J's incredibly low members-only pricing, you'll save even more when you purchase 5-packs through this special February deal!

Studio J 5-packs include everything you need to have 5 two-page layouts (that's 10 scrapbook pages!) shipped to your door ready for your scrapbookk albums.

Whether you're looking for an affordable gift or a way to save money on your own layouts, Studio J 5-packs offer you convenience and savings. Keep one for yourself and give one as a gift!

Please, don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions!

Happy Scrappin'

A Perfect 10!

2012-01-07T10:22:00.001-06:00

January is a great month - Close To My Heart has 2 specials going on for us! You can totally take advantage of them both, too :) Scroll down a couple of posts to see the Rock the Block campaign and now there is also another promo for Studio J members!

Score a Perfect 10 in January!

If you're a Studio J member, you can take advantage of this great opportunity to fill up your scrapbook - get your holiday photos in albums right away! For every 9 custom-printed Studio J layouts you buy, you'll receive the 10th layout FREE! To receive the discount, just add 10 or more layouts to your cart. You'll see a discount reflected in your order total. And you can totally take advantage of this promotion by ordering in multiples of 10. Buy 9, get 1 free. Buy 18, get 2 free. Buy 27, get 3 free. And so on!

Studio J members also get:
* Exclusive patterns
*1/2 price layouts
*Free JPG files
*Free monthly shipments
*Members-only promotions like this one!

If you're not a member yet, now's a great time to join! Contact me for more information or click on the Studio J link on the left side of my blog to take you right there :)

Happy Scrappin'

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T14:57:00.000-06:00

The last couple of days as I was putting my Rock the Block Magic Cube together (if you haven't checked out yesterday's post, you really need to do so) I was reflecting upon the last year (or the last couple of years, actually). I have had a lot of really rough times...losing my son in a car accident, 9 months later losing my daughter in another car accident, getting divorced last year... I truly am thankful for my family and friends for helping me get through it all! Without all of you, I don't know what I would have done. It truly has been a trying couple of years but you have all kept me grounded!

I have so many people ask how I do it. I don't have an answer for that. I just know that I keep putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. I also think all the prayers are helping get through, too. I try not to dwell on the past and I look to the future. I know that everything happens for a reason - I just don't know those reasons yet. Someday it'll all make sense to me.

I have high hopes for the coming year and look for it to be my best year yet! Here's to hoping it's a happy, healthy (and maybe wealthy, too) New Year!

Happy Scrappin'

Rock the Block Magic Cubes

2011-12-31T12:08:00.002-06:00

OK, remember yesterday's post when I said I had big plans for the Rock the Block set? Well...I DID IT! And it actually turned out pretty close to what I was dreaming of...

This is just one of the things Corporate did with the blocks

And here is a close up picture of the stamp set that comes along with the blocks

Remember, this is a sneak peak product that will be coming out in the new Spring/Summer Idea Book beginning February 1st. You can get it now (thru the end of January) for only $15 (yep, the blocks and the stamp set) by placing a $25 order with me. Once the blocks come out in the new Idea Book, they will be $14.95 all by themselves, so it really is a great deal to get the stamp set absolutely FREE!

Alright already, I'll get to my fabulous project - I even made a video for you so it is easier to see it in action!

What did you think? Go easy on me about the video, I'm not a professional videographer, you know :) Sorry about the couple second delay about halfway through, I tried to get rid of it, but it just wasn't working. A special thank you goes out to my niece Kinzie for actually video taping me!

I got my inspiration for this from Tresa Black, but since she didn't have instructions, I just did a Google search. I can do a class to teach you how to make one for yourself if you are interested. Otherwise, just Google magic folding cube and you will come up with all sorts of directions. I just went with the first one I looked at and it really was pretty easy to make. I do have a few tips now after putting one together, but I'll save them for the class...

Happy Scrappin'

Rock the Block

2011-12-30T08:51:00.000-06:00

As I am planning the craftiness I am going to create today, I just realized that I have not shown you the great special that's available through the end of January 2012! Can you believe that? Anyway...

Join the craze! When you place a minimum order of $25 from the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book (which coincidentally goes through the end of January 2012), you get two new products (read SNEAK PEAKS from the upcoming Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book) for just $15! You will receive the new My Creations Collage Cubes and an exclusive My Acrylix Rock the Block E-sized stamp set (I don't believe this will be available in the new idea book, so you need to get it now if you want it). It's a retail savings of almost $30! You're going to love the Collage Cubes and the Rock the Block stamp set, they are made to work together for interactive, 3-D fun!

Just wait a day or two until you see what I come up with using the Collage Cubes...I only hope it turns out half as good as I am imagining it in my mind!

Happy Scrappin'

Handcarved greatness

2011-12-29T06:38:00.001-06:00

Today I have a different kind of craft for you to enjoy. No, I did not make these, but my talented brother-in-law did! Ray, you truly have a knack for woodcarving, please don't give it up...and feel free to keep giving me the products of your handiwork :)

Today is Ray's birthday (Happy Birthday, Ray) and in his honor, I am showing you some of his woodcarvings. I received this ornament for Christmas from him.

Last year I got this ornament (yep, he gave me the bird - hehehe).

The year before I got this adorable little Santa.

Take a look at the toothpicks he carved this year, too. Yes, I said TOOTHPICKS! Each one is fully carved and painted. I told you he was talented!

Happy Scrappin'

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T06:56:00.001-06:00

This Christmas I am counting my blessings for what I do have, not for what I have lost. It's a tough time of year to get through, but I will be (and have been) surrounded by family and friends. Thanks to them, I will be just fine.

Merry Christmas everyone! Treasure your time spent with loved ones!

More handmade greetings

2011-12-24T07:55:00.000-06:00

Today I have more handmade greetings to share with you all. Have I mentioned how much I love to receive these??

Here's Wendy's

and Lynn's - what a great way to use up all those little pieces of paper you have, LOVE it!

Sheri's

Leslie's

I just love them all :)

Happy Scrappin'

Handmade Christmas Cards

2011-12-22T08:41:00.000-06:00

Oh I just love getting all these Christmas cards in the mail - especially the handmade ones! Oh I love them all, love reading the updates on everyone's families, love the photos, but really love the handmade greetings. I am so impressed this year :) I think a lot of people have really stepped it up!

Here are some of the handmade cards I have received so far:
This first one comes from my Mom-she has had her card planned for months now...

Here are the "Grandkids," their mom did a great job of creating a photo card:

My friend Ronda:

And the best story of all, my friend Barb's card. Her daughter loves my work and thinks of me as somewhat of a guru. She told her mom how great my card was. Then she saw the card her mom made and told her that it was just as good as mine! Barb was proud and I absolutely love the story (I just hope she doesn't mind me sharing it here!)

Speaking of my Christmas card, maybe I should show you mine, too. Here it is...

Happy Scrappin'

Roxie Club Layout

2011-12-19T08:23:00.000-06:00

Finally some artwork to show you. I have been busy, but not necessarily in my craft room, lately. I do love the layout I created for Club yesterday, though. I used the Roxie papers - love that plaid! It could be Christmasy, Valentiney, or just about anything in between.

My pictures were actually from last Thanksgiving and since most of us were wearing Packer clothes, I just printed them out in black & white and they worked perfectly! I love how that worked out :)

I added lots of sparkles to the layout...just because I could :)

Happy Scrappin'

Ugly sweaters and cookies

2011-12-18T13:55:00.000-06:00

Today's post brings you some UGLY sweaters! The girls from work all got together for a cookie exchange and decided to wear our ugly Christmas sweaters, too! I had a hard time finding one as I got rid of all of mine, brought them all to Goodwill, a long time ago. I ended up buying one at Walmart. As I checked out, the clerk asked if I needed a gift receipt. After answering that I did not, she asked if I was treating myself!?! I started laughing and said that I was buying it to wear to an ugly sweater party. She must have liked it much more than I did as she didn't find the humor in it! Oh well, I truly remember wearing these things years ago. If only I'd have known, I could have kept them and had a good use for them now. LOL!

Here is the invitation I made for the girls. The only problem with it is that after I gave them out, I won tickets to Disney On Ice in the Andersen Suite at the Xcel Energy Center. Kinzie and I had a great time there last week :) The girls and I just postponed our cookie exchange for a week. All is good in the world.

Here we are in all our ugly sweater glory. Aren't we adorable? Really, we don't even look that bad!

Barb was our big winner so she won the prize - a snowman in an ugly sweater!

Take a look at some of the treats we had. Yeah, this was just a small sampling of our goodies. We all went away with a lot of baked goods.

I made the homemade caramels you can see on the left side of the photo. They are soooo yummy! I will even give you the recipe here. Thanks go out to "Gator" at work for sharing his wife's recipe. They turned out great :)

Butter Caramels

2 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 pound butter
1 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla

In a heavy saucepot, cook butter, sugar, milk, and corn syrup until it reaches 245-250 degrees (approximately 13 minutes). Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour into a buttered 9x13 pan. Let cool and cut into strips then into 1" pieces. Wrap each piece in wax paper.

**I did double the recipe and put it in a jelly roll pan and it worked great :)

Happy Scrappin'

A fun and crafty evening

2011-12-11T07:38:00.000-06:00

So, one of my nieces was in need of making a handmade Christmas gift for her Advisor group at school. She turned to Aunt Tammy for some help. No problem, I had lots of ideas for her so Kinzie and her friend Kenna came over after practice one evening last week to create something. Kiana ended up coming too, as she is the crafty one and didn't want to be left out. She created a gift for one of her teachers.

The girls decided to make paper bag albums. They each decided what they wanted on the front of them and they went to town creating. They did awesome! I am proud of the girls :)

It was kind of funny as Kinzie isn't the one that's into this whole paper-crafting business, but she did great!

Kenna really enjoyed making her album and had fun.

Now Kiana, to say she enjoyed making it would be an understatement! I had to shut her down and call it quits or she would have been here till morning still working on hers. She loves to craft!

Happy Scrappin'

My First Pinterest Project

2011-12-10T06:14:00.000-06:00

Have you happened to notice the "Follow my on Pinterest" button on the left side of my blog? Pinterest is a new addiction I have found. It is a really cool site where people post ideas - anything from fashion to crafty ideas to recipes to...you name it. You can re-pin the items that pique your interest, putting them in the categories you set up for your own board. Essentially, an easier way to "save" all those interesting tidbits of information without having to 'bookmark' all those different pages - they are all saved in one neat little spot for me. I can even pin things from random websites (not just re-pinning things from Pinterest). Let me just warn you, though, that it is addicting :)

I have already re-created my first project that I found there. These candles were so simple and easy to make, it's crazy.

All it took is some big glass containers, some salt, cranberries, and a couple of candles. See such a simple idea and oh so cute sitting outside this time of year!

I'm sure I'll be creating a lot more projects that I find on Pinterest. Let me know if you, too, become addicted to that site :)

Happy Scrappin'

Baked Caramel French Toast

2011-12-07T06:51:00.001-06:00

Today's post brings you a yummy, yummy recipe. It's so sinful, but worth every last bite!

I found a recipe while blog surfing a few weeks ago that sounded delish. Well, after making it, I was not impressed. I was hopeful for it, though, so I found another recipe and kind of combined the two. The result is pure perfection.

I made this Baked Caramel French Toast at the retreat for the rest of the girls. Everyone agreed, it was a winner :) *The photo really does not do justice, trust me, it's very tasty!

Here is my version of the recipe:

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/3 cup milk
1 Tbsp. corn syrup

French Toast:
4 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
6-8 slices french bread (however many will fit in your pan)

Combine topping ingredients and cook over medium heat until smooth. Pour into greased 9x13 glass pan.

Beat rest of ingredients Dip both sides of french bread into mixture and place slices over topping in pan. **Now, when I made this, the egg mixture is enough for about 2 pans so either double the topping ingredients and make 2 pans or cut the egg mixture in half - it's up to you :)

Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, bake uncovered at 400 for 20-25 minutes. Take out of oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Invert over a large serving tray.

*You could also add some pecans to the topping mixture (maybe after you invert it onto the tray??)

Enjoy and Happy Scrappin'

Summer Daisies (in winter...)

2011-12-06T05:04:00.002-06:00

OK, so I think the project I made this last weekend that was my favorite is this bouquet of daisies. I know it is wintertime here and the snow started to fall on Saturday at our retreat, but what better time to make some fun summer daisies to brighten the day of some of my friends. I made 5 sets of these vases of flowers (of course, I had to make one for myself - how could I make these to give away and not keep one for myself?)

Isn't this just fun? I think so. I am actually going to put it away until spring - or at least until after Christmas when I am really tired of all the snow and cold! Then I can pull it out and have a little summer fun to look at every day :)

This was so easy to do using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge and a little (ok, a lot) of glitter. I used wire flower stems and buttons for the centers of the flowers. I was pretty glittery by the time I got done with all of these, but it was so worth it. I think the girls liked their gifts, too :)

Happy Scrappin'

Beaver Lake Landing

2011-12-05T08:40:00.002-06:00

Over the past weekend, I was away at a scrapbooking retreat with 10 of my friends. It was a great weekend of good friends, good food, and lots of laughs...oh yeah, we even got a lot accomplished! I love those relaxing weekends full of good times :) And, to top it all off, the Wisconsin Badgers won and so did the Green Bay Packers! Love it :)

If you have never been there, I highly recommend Beaver Lake Landing. I have been there many times and have never been disappointed. It is the kind of place that you never want to leave. I really thought they were going to have to drag me out kicking and screaming this time around. Click here to check out their website. Trust me, you would love it, too.

The first thing I did when I got there on Friday was to put together a bunch of cards. These were the extras that I had cut and prepped for a card class I did a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty easy to just finish them up.

I'll be back tomorrow with a very fun project I created on Saturday. I won't spill the beans (or would that be glitter) quite yet...

Happy Scrappin'

Mad About You - December SOTM

2011-12-04T20:19:00.000-06:00

I know, I know...I have been very slack about posting lately. I am still around and have just been pre-occupied with other things :) I will really try harder to keep you up to date on the happenings around here!

First of all, now that December is here, we have a brand new Stamp of the Month, Mad About You, to show you. Just look at all the great stamps in the set.

And here is my friend Kim's artwork using the set.

Make sure you contact me during the month of December if you would like this set for yourself. Now stay tuned as I have been a busy, busy girl. I've got lots of artwork to show you (plus a lot of new recipes).

Happy Scrappin'

Dreamin' Welcome Banner

2011-11-15T08:22:00.000-06:00

I have already showed you the banner I made for myself using some retired papers, but now it's time to show you the banners I made for my swap friends. I used the Dreamin' paper pack.

I just love making these simple accordion folded flowers, so easy, but yet so cute.

I hope the girls liked them, cuz I sure do :)

Happy Scrappin'

More Studio J Convention Layouts

2011-11-14T20:03:00.000-06:00

I last showed you the Studio J layout I made for our little swap. Well, here are the layouts I received in return. They turned out so great! What fun :)

Here is the layout Rachel created using the Silhouette paper pack. She chose to use some of our 'food' pics along with a photo from the Awards Banquet night when we were all spiffed up.

And Sheri used a Members Only exclusive paper pack. How fitting for our 'food' pictures :) It is all about the food, you know.

Want to know more about Studio J? Just ask me, I'd be happy to tell you...

Happy Scrappin'

Studio J Convention Layout

2011-11-10T08:00:00.002-06:00

Check out this Studio J layout I created! I started out just using a pattern the website has all set up for me...

Then I added this banner of pennants along the bottom. How, you ask? Well, it was pretty easy once I figured it out! I just added text boxes in different colors and played around with which ones were on top of each other. It was fun =)

I created this layout for myself and then one for each of my girlfriends using their photos on the right hand page. Studio J made it so simple for me to re-create pages for the other girls. I just copied the original (it took a maximum of a couple of seconds) and then swapped out the two photos. It just doesn't get much easier than that. Then we decided that when we got the layouts back, we would add the "lumpy, bumpy" stuff to them.

Want to learn to do this Studio scrapping for yourself? Just go to my website and click on the Studio J link OR let me know and we can do a one-on-one or a group class so I can teach you.

Happy Scrappin'

$5 Holiday Wishes

2011-11-09T18:27:00.000-06:00

How would you like to receive this Holiday Wishes Stamp Set for only $5? Well, all you need to do is purchase $25 in stamp sets of your choice before the end of November and this baby can be yours for only $5! What a deal!

What's even better? It coordinates with the CTMH exclusive Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge - this makes me very happy =) Contact me right away to get yours or click here to start your shopping in your jammies online.

Happy Scrappin'

Cherish the Day artwork

2011-11-06T08:49:00.000-06:00

Today I have some artwork to share with you using the new Stamp of the Month, Cherish the Day and the Sonoma Paper Pack.

Liz sent me this swap artwork and now I get to share it with you.

Remember, this stamp set is only available during the month of November. As a bonus, it coordinates perfectly with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, too! Let me know if you would like one of your very own =)

Happy Scrappin'

Yippee! New furniture...

2011-11-05T10:07:00.000-05:00

I am excited! My new furniture arrived this morning :)

When I moved into my new house, the former occupants left furniture for me. While it was nice and it was comfortable, I really wanted some new stuff of my own. I went furniture shopping and found just the right stuff for me - you know how it is, not sure just what you're looking for, but when you see it, you just know it was meant for you! I ordered it and set up this morning as the delivery date for them to bring it to me.

Well, I had to get rid of my old stuff first. while I was going to put in on Craig's List or something, I thought I'd try Facebook first. Little did I know that within 5 minutes of having it posted, it was sold! Very nice to not have to worry about getting rid of it, but a little bit of an inconvenience to do without for almost 2 weeks.

That's ok, I improvised! Just look at the fancy recliner I got to use in the meantime =) I had just put away my lawn furniture, so I went out to the garage and brought one in the house. It is comfy, but just not the same...

Just look at how great it looks now! It totally changes the look of the whole room. I LOVE it!

Now, I am just awaiting the arrival of my girlfriends for a fun day of scrapbooking =) It just doesn't get much better than this!

Happy Scrappin'

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T04:04:00.001-05:00

Happy Scrappin'

Halloween Cupcakes

2011-10-30T16:04:00.000-05:00

I guess I've been in a candy corn sort of mood this year. Along with making another batch of my Candy Corn Cookies, I decided to make some Halloweeny cupcakes today, too! Same idea, just with a cupcake...

They look pretty normal - until you cut into them (normally I would have just bit into it, but figured for a photo, I would cut it in half instead! You're welcome!) Doesn't it kind of remind you of a piece of candy corn?

Happy Scrappin'

Happy Mail and Happy Halloween!

2011-10-30T09:10:00.000-05:00

Can I just say that I LOVE Happy Mail?!? Look at what I received the other day...

OK, I guess I should really open it up so you can see the inside...

I can hardly wait to add photos! Thank you so much to my not-so-Secret Sister, Sheri! I LOVE IT! (I may need to get the instructions on how to make it, as I am NOT tearing this one apart to find out how!)

Happy Scrappin'

Halloween Card

2011-10-29T05:11:00.001-05:00

Just look at the Happy Mail I received yesterday! My Mom has gotten so creative - and is even using a Cricut now, can you believe it? She claims she's not creative, but I certainly know differently! Don't you agree?

Happy Scrappin'

Trick or Treat

2011-10-28T05:00:00.002-05:00

Are you all heading out Trick or Treating? If you are local, be sure to stop by my new house for a treat =) Living in town now, I really have no idea just how many little spooks I might get, but I am looking forward to it!

Here are some of the treats I have cooked up for my goblins. Sucker covers are simple to make, but they looks so cute. I got bags of the caramel apple suckers and covered them. Easy and fun!

Happy Scrappin'

Cricut Banner

2011-10-27T07:20:00.000-05:00

I created a few of these Cricut banners last month also. I will show you this one that I made for myself using all retired papers. I even mixed and matched paper packs using the colors I wanted! The others will have to wait until the recipients get theirs so I don't spoil the surprise!

I cut the banner shape out of chipboard using my new Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. It was so easy to cut the papers the same size and shape and they layered perfectly for me. Then I made these super simple 'flowers,' scallop circles using the cricut, and stamped my letters.

So, so easy, but cute :)

Happy Scrappin'

Studio J artwork

2011-10-26T07:14:00.000-05:00

I was making some Studio J pages a while back and forgot that I never showed you this one (there were more, but since they are part of a swap, I don't want to spoil the surprise and show you those just yet).

This is a super simple layout I made of our little Tyler man and his brother and sister. So sorry for the glare and as always, just click on the photo to enlarge it. The paper pack is an exclusive for Studio J members. It really only took me about 10 minutes to create - and who says they don't have time to scrapbook??

Happy Scrappin'

Candy Corn

2011-10-25T06:51:00.000-05:00

Halloween just would not be complete without candy corn. I love it mixed with dry roasted peanuts - it tastes just like a Salted Nut Roll candy bar :)

While I was blog surfing, I can across these adorable cookies (did you notice them in yesterday's picture of the goodies on our table?) They were just calling out to me, so of course I had to make them. You can just use your favorite sugar cookie recipe for this (I won't type all of that out for you here, but if you want it, feel free to let me know as I certainly can do that for you :)

Once you have your sugar cookie dough made (or I guess you could really use the pre-made stuff from the store if that's what you desire) then just divide it into 3. One you are just going to leave plain, one you will color yellow and the last one you'll color orange - you probably could have figured that much out yourself, huh? Then, line a loaf pan (not too big) with Saran Wrap. Then pat the white dough into the pan. Get it all nice and patted down evenly. Then layer the orange dough on top of that and get it all patted down. Last, do the same with the yellow dough. Each layer should be about 3/4 of an inch thick - roughly, no need to measure, it just all depends upon how big you want your cookies to be. Refrigerate your dough (at least 1/2 to 1 hour but I left mine overnight as it was too late to finish them the other night).

Remove from frig and lift dough out of pan (see, I told you to line your pan with Saran Wrap - not only does it make it easier to pat it down, but easier to lift out). Slice the dough into about 1/4" slices. Then you are going to cut your triangle shapes as shown in the picture. Half of your candy corn pieces are going to be white on the bottom instead of the top, but if I hadn't told you that, you probably wouldn't have even noticed.

Put your candy corn shapes on a cookie sheet and sprinkle with sugar (the sugar is not necessary, but since they will not be frosted, I thought it might add a nice touch. I just wish I would have had some of that fancy decorator sugar as it would have made them more sparkly.) Also, since you will not be frosting these cookies, I added extra almond extract to my dough when I mixed it up just to add a little extra flavor. Then bake cookies according to your recipe.

Done, easy, and oh so cute!

Speaking of candy corn, remember me telling you about my niece Kiana and her Cricut skills? Well, she came home with me the other night and wanted to make another project. We were very limited in our time, so this is what she created. Isn't it adorable? And it only took her a few minutes! She was not into the picture-taking mood the other night, though, so no photo with her :) I thought she was going to take it home with her, but the little stinker said, "I made it for you!" What a sweetheart - she even wrote a little message on the back for me :)

Happy Scrappin'

BLT Dip and a Club Layout

2011-10-24T18:50:00.000-05:00

I'm back and I have a bunch of stuff to show you - I am even going to sit here tonight and schedule a bunch of posts for the next week or so. Hold on to your hats cuz here they come...

First of all, yesterday was my Scrapbooking Club Day - oh how I love those days :) We had lots of treats (as you can see here). My good friend Lynn once taught me that it's "All About the Food!" hahaha

One of the things I made was a yummy BLT Dip (well, there's really no L in it, so maybe it should just be called BT Dip - LOL).

8 oz. sour cream
1 cup Miracle Whip
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup chopped tomatoes
Green onions for garnish

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate overnight.

It's good with Triscuits, Wheat Thins, Bagels...whatever you wish. Now, I just have to say that I also added a bit of Onion, Onion from Tastefully Simple and it was yummy!

Since we don't only just eat at Club, I'll also show you the page the ladies created. You have seen it before, as it's the one I created using the October Stamp of the Month, Holiday Magic. It just looks so much better with pictures on it :)

Happy Scrappin'

Packers 24 - Rams 3

2011-10-17T10:41:00.000-05:00

Oh my gosh! What a great day yesterday was! We scored tickets to the game. I don't think we could have done better. We had a great view (of course, there are no bad seats at Lambeau Stadium). We were in the sunshine all afternoon (and if you know our Wisconsin weather, it could have been awful - the wind gusts were 31 mph and it was about 54 degrees). It was amazing watching the game at Lambeau. I have been to games at the Dome in Minnesota, but this just does not even compare!

Then our beloved Packers won the game for us - Awesome! I had a blast and can't wait to go back and do it again someday :)

I saved the pics for the end so if you are not into football, you can skip the rest of the post. I do promise some artwork real soon, as you can see, I was a little too preoccupied to create lately. Can you believe I never even gave it a thought to make a sign for the game?!?! I'm not too keen on the throwback jerseys, but hey...I'm not gonna complain, I got to go to a game!

I'm sure I'll be using these photos plus lots more on some upcoming scrapbook pages :)

Happy Scrappin'

Lambeau Field

2011-10-15T21:22:00.000-05:00

It just doesn't get any better than this...touring Lambeau Field with my friend Sandy.

Neither of us has ever been to Green Bay much less to a Packer game there. Well, we are checking items off our bucket lists as we were there today and toured the stadium and went to the Hall of Fame. It is absolutely awesome! We are really hoping to score some tickets (can you say scalp) tomorrow for the game. If not, we hope to get seats at Stadium View to watch the game.

We were so impressed with today, we are praying and keeping our fingers crossed for tomorrow! If we get in, I'm sure I'll have more pictures to share with you from the game...keep your fingers crossed for us!

Happy Scrappin'

Holiday Magic

2011-10-04T09:26:00.000-05:00

Are you ready for some Holiday Magic? How about some October Stamp of the Month "Holiday Magic" artwork? I thought so...

This is what the fabulous October Stamp of the Month looks like.

And here are some of the things I did with this set...

I used the corrugated stars and just sprayed them with some water/reinker mix using our spray pen.

This card was cut out using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge - love that thing :) I used the spray pen on this baby, too-adding some pearl paint (although it's hard to see in the picture). The whole front of the card is shimmery!

This card is pretty simple and straight forward - hey...gotta have some simple, too, right?? Notice how I used the top of the stocking stamp? It is what the "Greetings" is stamped on. He, he...gotta throw in a little outside-the-box thinking now and then :)

Speaking of outside-the-box thinking, don't you just love how I used the Christmas Tree shape on this stocking? Did you even notice that it was a Christmas Tree??

Let me know and I will help you get your very own stamp set just for you...

Happy Scrappin'

Get a Fab Freebie in October!

2011-10-03T21:26:00.000-05:00

If you have ever given any thought to becoming a consultant with Close To My Heart, this month would be the month to do it! In addition to your $99 New Consultant Kit valued at over $280, CTMH is also giving away a FREE add-on kit of your choice valued at up to $130. Wowzers! That's over $400 worth for only $99!

What's even better? This month only, if you sign up to join my team, I will throw in an additional add-on kit for FREE! Yep, you just read that correctly. You have to talk to me about it first, though, because it has to be ordered when you sign up - I can't go back and do it later. Really, it's that easy! Just contact me right away for all the details :)

I would love to have you on my team :)

Happy Scrappin'

Overwhelmed with gratitude!

2011-10-02T17:35:00.001-05:00

I am totally overwhelmed with gratitude to all that donated at my Yard Sale for a Cure! I am about 1/4 of the way toward my fundraising goal after yesterday! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I had my nieces here in the afternoon and they even helped me clean up afterward. What great help they were. After all our work was done, we made some yummy Apple Pie Bites. I found the recipe on a recipe blog I follow - Wow, so quick and easy - and YUMMY :)

I'll even share our easy recipe with you :)

Apple Pie Bites

1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 pkg. refrigerated pie crust
3 Tbsp. melted butter, divided
2 medium apples, each cut into 8 wedges (we peeled ours, but you wouldn't have to)

Combine the sugar and cinnamon, set aside 1 Tbsp. Unroll pie crusts and brush with 2 Tbsp. melted butter, sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture.

Cut each crust into 8 one inch strips, about 8 inches long. Wrap one strip around each apple wedge, placing sugared side of pastry against apple.

Place on cookie sheet. Brush tops with remaining melted butter and sprinkle with sugar mixture. Bake at 425 for 13-15 minutes or until pastry is golden brown. Serve warm. Makes 16

See, what did I tell you, easy! We even had ours with ice cream and hot cocoa :)

Then Kiana and I (Kinzie headed out to make some money babysitting) headed downstairs to the Cellar Dweller's Dream to do a little creating. Kiana had heard all about my new Cricut machine and she was dying to try it out. She decided she wanted to make a sign for their bedroom door - any guesses what it was going to say?? LOL! She quickly became a pro at running the machine. I only showed her once what to do and she took over from there! She also loves our CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge :)

Look at her handiwork!

I just love spending time with the girls (the oldest was at a volleyball tournament for the day). I can't wait to do it again.

Happy Scrappin'

Chocolate Man Cookies

2011-09-27T17:17:00.000-05:00

So sorry for my lack in posting again lately! I have been busy and I have been sick. I know, I know...excuses, excuses!

Today has been a rough day for me as it would have been my son's 26th birthday. It also marks the 3rd anniversary of losing him in that tragic car accident. It is with all the love and support of my friends and family that I am able to keep on keeping on! It is in the hands of someone far greater than me that keeps me so strong!

These cookies sure brought a smile to my face. I know they are not homemade and they are really not even the greatest (they are ok, don't go turning me in the the Keebler Elves or anything) but when my Tony was just a little guy, he used to call these "chocolate man cookies". I saw them and just had to buy them in the store. Hey, sometimes it's the littlest things that make us smile :)

Now for something just a little creative. Remember how I like to recycle items? Well, I dressed up this container to use on Saturday at my garage sale - any locals, come on over and buy some stuff LOL! I am making the sale easier on myself by not pricing anything. It is going to be whatever you decide to give me for it! All proceeds are going toward my fundraising for the Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure Walk. Yeppers, I am walking the 60 miles next year!

Happy Scrappin'

Dig Pink and a new recipe

2011-09-18T19:04:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a fun, productive day at the Cellar Dweller's Dream. The girls were over for a day of scrapping and talk :) I made a yummy wild rice soup (thanks Carole for the recipe). It was so easy and tasted so good! I will share that recipe with you now (along with my notes).

4 cups chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
1/2 cup wild rice, rinsed and drained
1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
12/ tsp. pepper
1 lb. chicken cut up
1/2 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp.flour

In crock pot, combine all ingredients except sour cream and flour. Cover and cook on low for about 6-8 hours or until chicken is done and rice is tender.

Mix flour into sour cream and stir into soup. Increase to high heat setting, cover and cook about 20 more minutes or until mixture bubbles around edges and thickens.

*Now, I will tell you that I don't follow recipes exactly (I know, you probably have figured that out by now!) I didn't have any celery and wasn't going to buy any just for this as the rest would go to waste. I was doubling the recipe anyway, so instead of using 2 cans of cream of chicken soup, I used one can of cream of celery soup, I also didn't have thyme leaves, but used ground thyme instead. I then also added a can of mushrooms. I used fat free or reduced fat soups and sour cream and it turned out fabulous!

Then, today I was busy making some pins for my niece's volleyball team - well, actually for their Dig Pink night. You are going to want to attend the game on Tuesday, October 4th. The team has many fun activities planned to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. These fun pins I made will be available for sale that night :)

I have much more artwork to show you, but some of it will have to wait until October (I know, that is just around the corner, though). I was creating artwork using the new October Stamp of the Month, so stay tuned for that. I'm pretty pumped up for all the creating that was going on!

Happy Scrappin'

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

2011-09-17T07:54:00.000-05:00

We've all heard it, but how many of us actually do recycle? I know I do - and I'm not talking about just bringing my cans and bottles in (but I do that, too). I take the Reuse portion one step further. You've seen my posts about altering things. A lot of my girlfriends call me the Queen of Altering :) Just click on the 'altered items' link in the left column under labels and you will see some of the things I have altered such as this candy container.

Imagine my delight when I saw some adorable bags made out of bags at the farmer's market a couple of weeks ago. Bags made out of bags? Yeah, that's what I said. Here is the one I ordered and picked up the other night.

I absolutely fell in love with these. See, my new friend Kristi crochets these out of plastic grocery bags. Mine is a medium size and it takes about 50 bags to make it. I special ordered a white/red one so she used Target bags (she has a lot of friends and neighbors saving their plastic bags for her). Can you pick out the Target logo? The bow was made out of a Christmas bag of theirs - see the snowflake?

She can make them in pretty much any color you can find plastic bags in. She does a smaller 'lunch' bag, my medium 'market' bag, or a larger 'beach' tote. Talk about recycling in a fabulous way! It should pretty much last forever, and think of how easy it will be to wipe clean :) If you are interested in a bag such as this, email Kristi for more information. Just tell her I sent you!

In fact, I'd love to see what some of you have created by repurposing something. Send me your photos and I'll have a little contest (put recycling or something similar in the subject column). I have a little project in my head that I 'need' to get made. I'll show it to you when I hear back from some of you showing me what you've altered, reused, recycled...(see, this will keep me on target to get my project done, too!)

I can't wait to see your projects!

Happy Scrappin'

Club starts on Sunday

2011-09-13T18:25:00.000-05:00

Who is ready to join me? I can even do a long distance membership for you if you are interested.

We meet once each month and you get to create a 2 page layout each time. Each Club member takes turns earning Freebies as the hostess. Sound fun? Let me know right away if you would like to join as it starts up on Sunday afternoon.

This is the layout the girls will be creating this month. I used the new Typeset paper pack along with some Cricut cutouts, Milepost Shapes corrugated cutouts, and the September Stamp of the Month, Limited Edition.

Contact me for all the details :)

Happy Scrappin'

Sonoma Artwork

2011-09-12T19:42:00.000-05:00

Today's post is brought to you by the artwork of Peggy. She did a fabulous job with the Sonoma paper pack!

I can't wait to do some more swapping with Peggy - welcome to the group!

Happy Scrappin'

9-10-11

2011-09-10T08:50:00.000-05:00

Did you notice today's date? 9-10-11 This has got to mean it's going to be a great day, right? Well, I'm going to assume so anyway!

Today I have some artwork for you from my friend Lynn. She has done some great things with the Mischief paper pack! I love getting artwork from Lynn!

loving the liquid glass additions!

and some great cards

Happy Scrappin'

Dreamin' Artwork

2011-09-08T05:00:00.000-05:00

Today I have some beautiful artwork from my friend Sheri using the new Dreamin' Paper Pack.

I just love how easy it is to cut out and layer the stamp images when you use the new Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge :)

And the Cricut also cuts out these custom shaped cards for us - easy, peasy!

And check out the cool water bottle hanger. I love it!

Happy Scrappin'

Card class cards

2011-09-07T04:49:00.001-05:00

Last night I taught a card class at my Cellar Dweller's Dream. It was a blast and the 'students' had a good time, too :)

Here are the cards they got to make...

Happy Scrappin'

Good Luck Bears Volleyball

2011-09-06T04:05:00.000-05:00

Today's post has a little artwork that I made for the Clayton Bears Volleyball team and their coaches. My niece is on that team and I will be going to a lot of volleyball games in the near future. Their season has started out great so far in that they have beaten both of their opponents so far. I hope they can keep up that great start they have going.

The girls on the team all take turns making something inspirational for they teammates. I just decided that I would make something for them all, too. I made these little magnets for their lockers for them with an inspirational quote on them.

Good Luck Bears on a great season! I sure look forward to watching you play :)

On a side note, I am thinking of my daddy today. See, it would have been his 66th birthday. He has been gone for a little over 14 years now. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him, but I know he is taking good care of my kids up in heaven!

Happy Scrappin'

Limited Edition SOTM Artwork

2011-09-05T09:36:00.000-05:00

Today's artwork is brought to you from my friend Rachel. We do a Stamp of the Month swap and she had September's stamp set, Limited Edition.

She did a fabulous job, as always, of showcasing the stamps in all her artwork. First up is a couple of cards.

Then she made this fun mini album.

And just look at the layout she created with the tags and the cricut flowers.

This stamp set is only available during the month of September, so contact me soon to get yours ordered. Click on the Stamp of the Month tab at the top of my blog for all the details of how to get it for only $5.00!

Happy Scrappin'

Typeset Artwork

2011-09-04T10:04:00.000-05:00

OK, get ready because I will be posting a lot of artwork in the next few days...really, I will! I have a ton of new stuff here to show you, but just need to finish taking pictures of it all :)

Here is some of the swap artwork I received from the Typeset Paper Pack. This is one of my new favorites, which I am sure you'll be seeing me use over and over again.

This is a cute little box made using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.

What adorable cards.

And a fun layout.

My Scrapbooking Club will be starting up again on Sunday, September 18th at 1:00. If you are interested in joining, shoot me an email and let me know. I'd love to have you :)

Happy Scrappin'

Ready for some artwork?

2011-08-25T18:40:00.001-05:00

Are you ready for some artwork? I thought so, I'm sure you are probably saying, "It's about time!"

Here is what I created using the new Wonderland paper pack. I think I used the new CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge on all my artwork this time. I am addicted to that thing!

I used the new Foundry Metal Pin clips on this card. I love them and I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot more of them from me.

Don't you just love how well the stamp matches up to the Cricut-cut snowflake? It is so easy with our clear acrylic stamps!

Speaking of Cricut...anyone in the market for a great used 6" machine? I have mine for sale now that I broke down and bought the Expression machine. Contact me right away if you are interested in purchasing it from me.

**Just an update: The Cricut is sold. Thanks everyone for your interest, though! Gosh, maybe I should have put it out on bids! LOL!

Happy Scrappin'

3 Day for the Cure

2011-08-24T22:00:00.000-05:00

I had an absolutely amazing weekend. I worked at the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk. I was exhausted from working the weekend, but those ladies (and men) that walked the 60 miles in those 3 days sure were inspiring! It was heartbreaking, exciting, fun, hard work, happy, sad...everything all at the same time.

I can hardly wait because I will be walking in it next year! Yeppers, you heard me correctly, I will be walking 60 miles in 3 days next August. I will be posting at a later date how you can donate to the cause if that is something you wish to do. I will have to raise a lot of money to do the walk, but it is so worth it. I will be walking for 2 of my Aunts that have Breast Cancer - and for anyone else that you mention to me. I feel so strongly about this that I think the fund-raising will be totally worth it!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend-not many, though, as I was really busy working. I got to see every walker come in and finish up the 60 miles on Sunday. I got to scan their badges and give them a Victory T-shirt :)

Congratulations to all the walkers, but especially my friends Sandy and Bonnie! I will be walking right beside you girls next year :)

Happy Scrappin'

Rhubarb Slush

2011-08-16T20:22:00.001-05:00

I have a super yummy recipe for you tonight. Yes, I am enjoying a glassful as we speak. It's been a pretty stressful evening...hopefully that all comes to an end in about a week! Yeah,yeah, I drank part of this before I thought to take the photo :)

Thanks go out to my friend Conni for sharing her recipe for this slush with me! It sounded so good, I had to make a batch right away - ok, make that 2 batches!

Rhubarb Slush

8 cups rhubarb
3 cups sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 quarts water
1 small package strawberry jello
2 cups rum (only, I used vodka in mine, I guess...didn't even realize this mistake until just now while I am re-typing it - the vodka is super yummy, too, though!)

In a large pot, combine rhubarb, sugar, lemon juice, and water. Cook until rhubarb is soft. Strain mixture to remove pulp. Add jello to the mixture and allow it to cool. Add alcohol. Place in a large plastic container and put in freezer. To serve, fill a glass 1/2 to 3/4 full of the slush mixture and add 7-up.

Now, I actually made one batch just like the recipe said (or so I thought...I guess I used Vodka instead of rum, but it's great that way, too!) and the second batch, I made without the alcohol and just am using it more like a punch (keep it in the fridge instead of the freezer). It is really good that way, too :)

**Side note here, don't throw away the pulpy part you strain - it makes a yummy sauce to top ice cream with - or just to eat!

Enjoy!
Happy Scrappin'

Another Cricut card

2011-08-12T19:26:00.000-05:00

I just can't get enough of this wonderful CTMH exclusive Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge! I am so happy that I am once again playing with my toy that had previously just been sitting on my counter collecting dust. I am happy to report that it is working fabulously :)

Here is the card that the guests at my party the other night got to make. It was a monogram card using the Typeset paper pack and they were able to use their own initials using the new Trinity E-sized Alpha stamp set (at a new lower price, too!) All the pieces were cut out using the Cricut. Just look at how cute that scalloped circle is. It was so easy to stamp on it perfectly using our clear acrylic stamps that are made so they match the Cricut shapes perfectly. Not a single person at the party 'messed up' their stamping! Easy, peasy...just the way I like it :)

When you book a party with me, each guest gets to make a card all their very own such as this one. I love to be able to put stamps in people's hands for the first time and have them be able to do a great job so easily. Everyone seems to think it's too hard for them to create, but once you learn how, it really is just that simple. Let me know when you'd like to book your party and I'll make it happen-hurry, may calendar is starting to fill up fast!

Happy Scrappin'

A Cricut invitation

2011-08-11T10:25:00.002-05:00

You, too, could have this handmade Cricut invitation sent out for you. How, you ask? All you have to do is host a party with me and I will make these invitations and send them out for you (or another version of this card). It's pretty simple, really!

I love the simplicity of this card - it was simple to make, but looks cool with all those fancy cuts. It was so easy using my new Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge! You can get one for yourself, just ask me how (heck, you could even get it for 1/2 price! Yeah, that's right, 1/2 price!) It's also made using the new Wonderland paper pack (I just love the blues and browns together :)

Happy Scrappin'

Another Retirement

2011-08-10T06:57:00.002-05:00

This time around we said adios to Virgil. He's worked there as long as I have (but I guess I am younger as I can't retire yet). Congratulations, Virgil, we'll miss seeing you around work, too. Here was his "kisses goodbye" gift.

I made this using our new CTMH exclusive Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge and the new Typeset paper pack. I cut out the little bag and also the bracket shapes. Then, with the coordinating stamps that come with the cartridge, I was able to stamp right on the bracket shape perfectly...gotta love those clear acrylic stamps for that, too!

Happy Scrappin'

1st retirement gift

2011-08-09T06:17:00.002-05:00

I have had 2 great co-workers retire in the last week or so. I am going to miss them both, but they deserve to have time off and relax now...ok, I am really jealous, but happy for them.

Here is the star album I created for Ron. Congrats, Ron!

You know how it is, the people (guys especially) that don't want their pictures taken...then later when they see the book, they all want to know if they are in it! Please don't be one of those people that is camera shy-and for heaven's sake, if you are the one behind the camera, hand it over to someone else and get in front of the lens once in a while. These pictures will bring back lots of memories and are well worth it! Who really cares what your hair looks like or if you are dressed up or whatever...that's not the point.

OK, I am off my soapbox now. Back to your regularly scheduled day :)

Happy Scrappin'

Wicked Artwork

2011-08-08T07:05:00.001-05:00

Today I have some artwork to show you from my friend Kim. She created artwork using the new papers from the Mischief collection and used the August Stamp of the Month, Wicked.

I am in love with the set now after seeing artwork with it :)

Be sure to get your set right away if it's one you love, too, as it's only available during August. Remember the new SOTM program CTMH has for us...purchase $50 in products of your choice and get the set for only $5! Yep, that's right...what a deal!

Happy Scrappin'

Farmer's Market

2011-08-07T16:33:00.000-05:00

Thursday after work, I got to make a trip over to a local Farmer's Market. I have been hearing great things about it, but really had NO IDEA it was as great as it was!

Look at how full the parking area was-there were cars lined up on the road just waiting to get in. It was like a small carnival (minus the rides). I was overwhelmed, but loved it! It will be going back there for sure.

Here is a sampling of what I picked up

Plus, I could hardly wait to get home to try the lefse I bought there. See, I couldn't even wait to take a bite until after the photo :) Yum, it was really good (it tasted just like Grandma used to make!)

I promise, I have been creating and will bring you some photos of artwork real soon!

Happy Scrappin'

My favoritist Idea Book yet!!

2011-08-01T21:45:00.000-05:00

Yes, favoritist is a word! I just made it up, of course it's a word!

I know, I say it every time, but this time around, Corporate really knocked our socks off at Convention and unveiled a fantabulous (yes, another real word) Idea Book! I love every single thing about it!

(If you click on the image, it'll take you right to the online version of the Idea Book-contact me to get your very own hard copy of this beauty)

Here are just a few of my very favorite things:

*Our all new, exclusive Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge! You can make a great things using this cartridge and then have coordinating stamp sets to use with it. There are over 700 different images that you can cut out using this cartridge (and that's not counting all the different sizes!) Check out the card I made with it. You, too, can have me send out these invitations to your guests at your very own party. Ask me how...

*Brand new, truly double sided cardstock weight patterned paper. The paper packs are a bit smaller (not so much extra paper left over-a complaint a lot of you have had) BUT, the price also went down :) The papers have a 'zip-strip' on the edge that you will have to cut off, but you can then use it as a border (they all have a fun pattern on one side and the coordinating colors listed on the other side along with the paper pack name).

*Speaking of price cuts...all our stamp set prices have gone down! Wowzers! What a great deal! Same great stamps at a smaller price. Also, the stamp sets are now featured at full size in the idea book-no more guessing as to what size they are :)

*Lots of new embellishments and such. My favoritist (yep, there's my word again) of all is the new ruler. I know, it's a little thing, but it is amazing! It is a 14" clear ruler that has little holes in it for ease in lining up and evenly spacing brads and the like. This makes me happy :)

*A newly redesigned Stamp of the Month program! You can now get the Stamp of the Month at full price of $17.95, or spend just $50 and get it for only $5! What a deal!

Now that you are headed off to view the new catty, you'll want to hear all about this month's great special. You can read all about it by clicking on the Extra! Extra! page at the top of my blog, but in a nutshell, when you purchase $50 in products this month anbd purchase the Stamp of the Month for $5, you get a FREE A-size stamp set, Typeface, absolutely FREE! What a great deal :)

Is Close To My Heart looking out for us in this cruddy economy or what? I say, Whoo Hoo!

Happy Scrappin'

Retiring Items

2011-07-25T21:47:00.000-05:00

Have you taken advantage of the Bang for your Buck Special Close To My Heart is offering this month? If not, now is the time to do so. When you place a $50 order out of the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book, you get to choose from one of these 5 items for only $1!

*Creative Basics Mistletoe Collection (valued at $8.95)
*Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection (valued at $8.95)
*My Originals Bits & Pieces Card Kit (valued at $12.95)
*My Originals It's Your Day Card Kit (valued at $12.95)
*My Originals Around the Holidays Card Kit (valued at $12.95)

Now, here is a list of items that will be retiring at the end of July. Take a good look at the list. If there is anything that you 'must have', get it ordered before the end of this month and take advantage of the Bang for your Buck special at the same time :) I just love when the stars align and you get more Bang For Your Buck :)

If you see something you can’t live without, contact me or click here asap to place your order before the items are sold out or no longer available.

• Bliss Level 1 -- X7132A pg 12
• Bliss Level 2 -- X7132B pg 12
• Bliss stickease -- X7132C pg 12

• Miracle L1 -- X7133A pg 16
• Miracle L2 -- X7133B pg 16
• Miracle stickease -- X7133C pg 16

• Sweetheart L1 -- X7134A pg 20
• Sweetheart L2 -- X7134B pg 20
• Sweetheart stickease -- X7132C pg 20

• Wings L1 -- X7135A pg 24
• Wings L2 -- X7135B pg 24
• Wings stickease -- X7135C pg 24

• Magnifique L1 -- X7127A pg 38
• Magnifique L2 -- X7127B pg 38
• Magnifique stickease -- X7127C pg 38

• Olivia L1 -- X7128A pg 38
• Olivia L2 -- X7128B pg 38
• Olivia stickease -- X7128C pg 38

• Hooligans L1 -- X7129A pg 39
• Hooligans L2 -- X7129B pg 39
• Hooligans stickease -- X7129C pg 39

• Mistletoe L1 -- X7130A pg 39
• Mistletoe L2 -- X7130B pg 39
• Mistletoe stickease -- X7130C pg 39

• Sweetheart WOTG -- G1017 pg 41
• Lucky WOTG -- G1018 pg 41
• Sophia WOTG -- G1019 pg 41
• Bliss WOTG -- G1020 pg 42
• Fanfare WOTG -- G1021 pg 42
• Mayberry WOTG -- G1022 pg 42
• Miracle WOTG -- G1023 pg 43
Wings WOTG -- G1016 pg 43

• 1” x 1 ½” block -- Y1001 pg 45
• 1” x 6 ½” block -- Y1005 pg 45
• 2” x 11” block -- Y1007 pg 45
• 2 ½” x 2 ½” block -- Y1004 pg 45
• 4 ½” x 6 ½” block -- Y1011 pg 45
• My Acrylix block starter kit -- Y1500 pg 114

• Envelope flats – 2 ½” x 3 ½” -- Z1021 pg 114
• Envelope flats – 3” x 3” -- Z1022 pg 114
• Envelope flats – 3” x 4 ¾” -- Z1023 pg 114
• Envelope flats – 4” x 4” -- Z1024 pg 114
• Envelope flats – 4 ½” x 4 ½” -- Z1244 pg 114
• Envelope flats – 5” x 5” -- Z1025 pg 114
• Envelope flats – 5” x 7” -- Z1026 pg 114
• Envelope flats – 5 ½” x 4 3/4 ” -- Z1027 pg 114
• Envelope flats – 6” x 6” -- Z1028 pg 114
• Envelope flats – 8” x 3 ½” -- Z1029 pg 114

• Designer ribbon – cranberry -- Z1209 pg 115
• Designer ribbon – buttercup -- Z1154 pg 115
• Designer ribbon – sweet leaf -- Z1125 pg 115

• Sophia L2 Journaling Spots -- Z1357 pg 116
• Mini Medley Accents – Pear -- Z1339 pg 117
• Mini Medley Accents – Lagoon -- Z1340 pg 117
• Mini Medley Accents – Outdoor Denim -- Z1277 pg 117
• Top Coats – Framed In -- Z1211 pg 118
• Rub Ons – Across the Board -- Z1231 pg 118
• Rub Ons – Primavera -- Z1265 pg 118

• Dimensional Elements – Villa -- Z1390 pg 118
• Dimensional Elements – Miracle -- Z1354 pg 118
• Dimensional Elements – Booksmart -- Z1223 pg 119
• Dimensional Elements – Borders -- Z1156 pg 119
• Dimensional Elements – Framed Fun -- Z1140 pg 119
• Dimensional Elements – Plain Chipboard -- Z1164 pg 119
• Dimensional Elements – Stars -- Z1312 pg 119
• ALL Dimensional Elements Monograms – A through Z -- pg 119 (new DE alphabets in fall book – similar but new sizes and shapes)

3” x 3” Mini Album -- Z1166 pg 120 (ALREADY SOLD OUT)
• My Creations 3 ring binder -- Z1141 pg 120
• Kraft Color Ready Borders -- Z1377 pg 120
• Red Eye Pen -- 3501 pg 121
• Embossing Powders – Clear -- Z671 pg 121
• Embossing Powders – Heavenly Blue -- Z647 pg 121
• Embossing Powders – Pansy Purple -- Z664 pg 121
• Embossing Powders – Silver Pearl -- Z678 pg 121
• Block Buddy Set -- Z1289 pg 121
• Pivot Point Stapler -- Z1009 pg 122
• Texture Tools – Foam Tools -- Z1090 pg 122
• Fun Flock -- Z263
• My Accents Organizer -- Z183 pg 123 (SOLD OUT)
• My Accents Block Organizer -- Z185 pg 123
• Euro Personal Paper Trimmer -- Z338 pg 123
• Euro Replacement Blades -- Z339 pg 123
• Euro Replacement Blade/Scoring -- Z340 pg 123

The individual packs of 24 sheets of one color of cardstock have been changed in the new book. There are 15 colors you can continue to buy in packs of 24. With the new book, you can buy a pack with 3 shades (example: Light Red & Pink Shade Pack which includes Blush, Hollyhock, and Tulip).

NEED BULK for Holiday cards? Don’t delay!
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Grey Flannel -- 5573 pg 124
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Grey Wool -- 5571 pg 124
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Brown Bag -- X5644 pg 124
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Parchment -- X5645 pg 124
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Amethyst -- X5631 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Baby Pink -- 1299 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Heavenly Blue -- 1285 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Key Lime -- 1235 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Sunkiss Yellow -- 1240 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Taffy -- X5630 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Juniper -- X5752 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Lilac Mist -- 1295 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Sorbet -- X5751 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Spring Iris -- 1296 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Tulip -- X5753 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Gypsy -- X5757 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Holiday Red -- 1274 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Sunny Yellow -- 1225 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Sunset -- X5758 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Topiary -- X5635 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Cotton Candy -- X5760 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Dutch Blue -- 1241 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Lagoon -- X5762 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Pear -- X5764 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Sky -- X5761 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Autumn Terracotta -- 1270 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Barn Red -- X5637 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – New England Ivy -- 1282 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Pansy Purple -- 5590 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Sunflower -- 1242 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Garden Green -- 1244 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Goldrush -- 1243 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Hollyhock -- 1246 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Indian Corn Blue -- 1284 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Vineyard Berry -- 1248 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Buttercup -- 1271 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Garnet -- X5638 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Moonstruck -- 1293 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Ponderosa Pine -- 1276 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Smokey Plum -- 1291 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Blush -- X5640 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Crystal Blue -- 1292 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Honey -- X5668 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Petal -- X5667 pg 125
• Cardstock 24 pk 12” x 12” – Twilight -- X5666 pg 125

The combo packs below are retired only because our seasonal color palattes have been rearranged. The 12 colors in each season have changed, but we still have all the same 60 colors.
• 12” x 12” Combo Cardstock Pack – Antique -- X5686 pg 124
• 12” x 12” Combo Cardstock Pack – Timeless -- X5700 pg 124
• 12” x 12” Combo Cardstock Pack – Harmony -- X5682 pg 125
• 12” x 12” Combo Cardstock Pack – Blossom -- X5756 pg 125
• 12” x 12” Combo Cardstock Pack – Carnival -- X5765 pg 125
• 12” x 12” Combo Cardstock Pack – Celebration -- X5766 pg 125
• 12” x 12” Combo Cardstock Pack – Harvest -- X5684 pg 125
• 12” x 12” Combo Cardstock Pack – Garden -- X5698 pg 125
• 12” x 12” Combo Cardstock Pack – Classic -- X5685 pg 125
• 12” x 12” Combo Cardstock Pack – Cozy -- X5800 pg 125
• 8 ½ ” x 11” Combo Cardstock Pack – Antique -- X5691 pg 124
• 8 ½ ” x 11” Combo Cardstock Pack – Timeless -- X5705 pg 124
• 8 ½ ” x 11” Combo Cardstock Pack – Harmony -- X5687 pg 125
• 8 ½ ” x 11” Combo Cardstock Pack – Blossom -- X5755 pg 125
• 8 ½ ” x 11” Combo Cardstock Pack – Carnival -- X5767 pg 125
• 8 ½ ” x 11” Combo Cardstock Pack – Celebration -- X5768 pg 125
8 ½ ” x 11” Combo Cardstock Pack – Harvest -- X5689 pg 125
• 8 ½ ” x 11” Combo Cardstock Pack – Garden -- X5703 pg 125
• 8 ½ ” x 11” Combo Cardstock Pack – Classic -- X5690 pg 125
8 ½ ” x 11” Combo Cardstock Pack – Cozy -- X5801 pg 125

• Stamp Pad set – Antique -- Z1564 pg 124
• Stamp Pad set – Timeless -- Z1569 pg 124
• Stamp Pad set – Harmony -- Z1560 pg 125
• Stamp Pad set – Blossom -- Z1570 pg 125
• Stamp Pad set – Carnival -- Z1573 pg 125
• Stamp Pad set – Celebration -- Z1574 pg 125
• Stamp Pad set – Harvest -- Z1562 pg 125
• Stamp Pad set – Garden -- Z1567 pg 125
• Stamp Pad set – Classic -- Z1563 pg 125
• Stamp Pad set – Cozy -- Z1600 pg 125
(Stamp pads will still be available in the new Idea Book, just not in the sets - same goes for the Marker sets)

• Marker set – Antique -- Z1554 pg 124
• Marker set – Timeless -- Z1559 pg 124
• Marker set – Harmony -- Z1550 pg 125
• Marker set – Blossom -- Z1571 pg 125
• Marker set – Carnival -- Z1572 pg 125
• Marker set – Celebration -- Z1575 pg 125
• Marker set – Harvest -- Z1552 pg 125
• Marker set – Garden -- Z1557 pg 125
• Marker set – Classic -- Z1553 pg 125
• Marker set – Cozy -- Z1610 pg 125

• Textured Cardstock – White Daisy -- X5671 pg 124

Happy Scrappin' (or should I say Happy Shoppin')

Holy hotness, Batman!

2011-07-20T21:46:00.000-05:00

I really want to go back to California! The weather here in Wisconsin has been just dreadful! I got home Sunday night a little after 8 pm and had to be up for work about 4 am Monday morning. The temps have been in the upper 90's and 100's since then with very high humidity. The heat index has been in that 120 degree range. It is soooo hot at work, it is miserable, so forgive me for not posting more. I have been just exhausted by the time I get home each evening. I have not even finished unpacking yet :( The laundry is done, though, so that's a plus :)

Here is the last swap layout I made for the girls for Convention.

Stay tuned, as I will have to give you the directions for making those paper flowers. They are pretty easy, but I'll have to make some and take photos as I go along so you have step-by-step instructions. I will also be posting a whole lot of fun new information that we learned last week. I will give you a hint at the biggie...do you like bugs? How about ~~crickets~~ Cricuts? I hope so, we've got a brandy-new special cartridge just for us in the new Idea Book...and speaking of the Idea Book...contact me right away, you'll be wanting to host your very own party because there are so many fabulous new things - you are gonna want them all!

Happy Scrappin'

2011-07-16T09:22:00.000-05:00

Wow! Convention has been sooooo amazing! I can't wait to get home and share the news with everyone. Technically, I am not supposed to tell anything until August 1st (when the new Idea Book goes live), but...if you watch, I will probably be showing you some of the artwork we are creating while here in Anaheim, California.

I also really thought I would have been able to post more while here, but Corporate keeps us so busy that there just isn't much time. Last night I got on the internet to try to post, but I think all the other Consultants were doing the same thing as the internet was super slow and I wasn't able to do so. This morning it is a little better, so I'll show you another of my swap layouts I created.

I had planned to use my Pennant Alpha for this layout, but since I could not find it, I made due and cut my own pennants and used a different font. It all worked out and I'm sure my Pennant Alpha I was looking for will be right there in front of my nose when I get home :)

Happy Scrappin'

Another swap layout

2011-07-13T09:40:00.000-05:00

Here is another layout that I made for my swapping sisters :)

I hope you like it. It even has a spot for us to put a cd of all our photos in it if you wish.

We're just waiting to go down to register for Convention and Leadership today. Can't wait!

Happy Scrappin'

The happiest place on earth!

2011-07-12T23:47:00.000-05:00

Yep, I am at Disneyland in California :) I am here having a little fun - both with Mickey and with my Close To My Heart sistas!

Now that I am here, I can start to show you some of the swap layouts I created for the girls I'm swapping with. Here is the first layout I created for the girls.

Happy Scrappin'

Another beautiful creature

2011-07-08T06:43:00.003-05:00

Look at what was sitting on my garage when I got home from work yesterday. What a beautiful creature it was. My neighbor kids came over and scooped it up and took it home with them. Hopefully it has made a good new home.

Does anyone out there know just what kind of moth it is? Leave a comment and let me know if you do. I'm thinking a Luna Moth or a Cecropia?? I must have some teacher friends that would know, don't I??

**After further review, it is indeed a Luna Moth. They come from those really big green worms. After they turn into a moth, they only live for about a week since they don't have mouths. No wonder they are so rare to see! Kinda sad, but it was beautiful :)

Happy Scrappin'

Bang for your Buck!

2011-07-07T06:10:00.000-05:00

It's Simple. Spend $50, then choose a bonus item for only $1 (five products to choose from). Because everyone loves more bang for their buck!

Eligible $1 Bonus Items:
*Creative Basics Mistletoe Collection (valued at $8.95)
*Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection (valued at $8.95)
*My Originals Bits & Pieces Card Kit (valued at $12.95)
*My Originals It's Your Day Card Kit (valued at $12.95)
*My Originals Around the Holidays Card Kit (valued at $12.95)

Contact me for more information or to take advantage of this special offer available only during the month of July!

Happy Scrappin'

Sticky Boy

2011-07-06T06:15:00.001-05:00

Just look at the card that Sticky Boy sent out to his roomies at Convention in California next week! OK, so maybe I had a little hand in the making of the card, but it was Sticky Boy that sent it :)

If you don't know who Sticky Boy is, click on the link at the top of my blog to view the video. He is the mascot for Close To My Heart's clear Acrylic Stamps. It is a pretty fun video that I'm sure you will like, too.

Every time we go to any Corporate events, they hide Sticky Boy stamps around and if we find one, we get to keep it. They are not available for sale, so it is really a pretty big deal. Being they are clear acrylic, it's tough to see them. It's like playing 'hide the button' all week. I know, I know...it's the simple things that keep us excited :)

Happy Scrappin'

Bike trip adventures

2011-07-05T06:12:00.001-05:00

Even though I should be finishing up my swaps and getting ready for Convention, I took a mini vacation and took off on the motorcycle with a friend and traveled over the weekend. I was one of the best trips I've ever taken!

We took off and traveled North-staying ahead of the coming storm the whole way. The next day we ended up as far north in Wisconsin as you can get, taking the ferry across to Madeline Island. We took the bikes with us and toured the island. Thanks for hanging with us Neil and Michelle. It was great meeting you on the ferry and spending the day with you on the island. We found a couple of really fun places that I wouldn't mind going back to again! Then it was off to Duluth to meet up with some other people.

All in all, we only put on about 500 miles as we were having too much fun hanging out at the fun places we found, but that's ok. It was perfect weather for riding :)

This week, I'll be in the Cellar Dweller's Dream finishing up my swaps for Convention. You might just have to wait till after I leave to see them as I would hate for the girls to see them before I hand them over to them. Rest assured, though, I will post pics of them for you.

Happy Scrappin'

4th of July and SOTM artwork

2011-07-04T09:14:00.000-05:00

I hope you all have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

Tonight marks 2 years since we lost our daughter in a horrible car accident. It is a bittersweet day for me. I miss her so much, but know that I must go on. I can feel her and her brother with their arms wrapped tightly around me supporting me, and that really helps me move forward.

OK, enough of the sappy stuff...moving on...

I have some gorgeous artwork that my friend Sheri created using the July Stamp of the Month-American Celebration. Here is what the set looks like. If you want one for yourself, just contact me to get it ordered. It is only available during the month of July 2011.

Look at this great layout. I love all the layered stars and the Pennant Alpha!

The cards are great, too.

I think I'll use this one for my friend Sandy. It is her birthday today and I will be meeting up with her and her parents later on. Happy Birthday, Sandy! I love ya!

Happy Scrappin'

Just a little Heads Up!

2011-06-30T08:03:00.000-05:00

I just thought I had better post quick to let you know that a little birdie has told me of our retiring paper packs come July 31st. After that date, you will no longer be able to get these papers. If you are wanting any of them, you had better get a hold of me quick before they are all gone.

Bliss

Sweetheart

Miracle

and Wings
Along with the older Olivia, Hooligans, Mistletoe, and Magnifique.

Just send me a message if you are in need of any of these wonderful papers, I can hook you right up :)

Happy Scrappin'

More Convention Swap cards done

2011-06-28T20:20:00.000-05:00

Yup, I am still here. I have been busy with everyday life and time has just gotten away from me. I leave for Convention in just a couple of weeks, and I'm not sure where all my time has gone, but I am all of a sudden not ready (Oh, I am ready to go, just don't have everything else ready!)

I am almost done with all my swap cards, though. Here is the other card I will be bringing along to swap out with my fellow CTMH Consultants. You would love to be a fly on the wall when we are all busy swapping away. Some girls get totally crazy with it - fun, fun, fun!

It's hard to see in the photo, but the Scalloped circle 'thank you' is popped up. Enjoy!

Happy Scrappin'

Convention Swap cards

2011-06-21T08:38:00.002-05:00

As you may or may not know, I will be heading out for California (Disneyland, to be exact) in a few short weeks for our annual Close To My Heart National Convention. I can hardly wait! It is a fun and exciting week filled with lots of learning and 'girl time' with friends (both old and new).

One of the fun parts at Convention is card swapping. Anyone that wishes to, makes cards to trade with others. It is so much fun. I always come home with lots of new ideas.

Here is one of the cards I have made to bring along to swap. I made about 50 of this style. I have more in the works, too. Stay tuned for pictures of those, too.

Happy Scrappin'

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-20T11:38:00.000-05:00

I know, a day late and a dollar short...the story of my life it seems :)

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there. Yesterday marked 14 years since the day my Dad passed away. I think I've shown you this photo before, but it is one of my favorites of my Dad and my son (his favorite little buddy). They were all spiffed up for my Sister's wedding and had strict orders not to get dirty or get into any trouble! LOL! I sure miss both of these guys an awful lot!

Here is a card I made for my Father-in-law. He is a great guy that I am proud to call "Dad."

Happy Scrappin'

Just ducky...

2011-06-13T21:33:00.000-05:00

So, today I went back to work after being on a voluntary layoff for 6 months. Yep, I sure enjoyed my time off and got a TON of stuff accomplished while I was off! I know it's time to go back and start making some money now instead of just spending it, but really, this work thing is getting in the way of things :) It was a difficult transition to make today not having my day to myself, but it did go alright, I guess.

How about some artwork? Here's a quick little peek at a card I had given to my cousin at her baby shower a week or so ago (I know, I am back to work one day and already I can't keep track of the time!)

Happy Scrappin'

Glazed Lemon Bars

2011-06-10T08:21:00.000-05:00

So sorry, I haven't been very good about posting lately (again) but life just tends to get in the way sometimes. I have been attending an awful lot of softball games lately (and loving it, I might add!) When you have 3 nieces that are 3 different ages, you end up with a lot of different games. I am really enjoying the extra time I have now to spend with them. They really are great kids :)

Last night, on our way home from a game, a big bear ran across the road in front of us. Then he was kind enough to stand around and let us watch him. Why, oh why, did I not think to take a picture? Oh well, maybe next time.

Today, I want to wish my Mother-in-law a very Happy Birthday! I sure hope you enjoy your special day!

OK, on to the recipe. I made a pan of these lemon bars a week or so ago (see, I can't even remember just when it was I made them). I did take pictures of them, though, so I was thinking about all of you :) These are so good and really pretty easy, too.

Glazed Lemon Bars

Crust:
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter, softened

Filling:
4 large eggs at room temperature
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (mine came directly from the bottle :)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 cup flour
2 cups white sugar

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice (once again, mine was right out of the bottle)

Whisk together flour and powdered sugar, then cut in the butter, mixing until crumbly. Lightly press into a 9x13 greased pan. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until light golden around the edges. Remove from oven.

During the last few minutes of baking time, mix the eggs, lemon juice, flour, sugar, and baking powder with an electric mixer on high speed for 3 minutes. The mixture should be frothy and very, very pale yellow. Pour the mixture over the warm crust and then return to the over for another 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown on top.

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. When bars are cool, whisk together the glaze ingredients until smooth and then gently spread over the bars. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and then cut.

Happy Scrappin

I've been invaded...

2011-06-07T08:40:00.001-05:00

OK, anybody recognize this guy?

or how about the 2 dozen of his friends?

I'm sure they showed up in my yard today to wish me a Happy Birthday, but it's amazing I didn't catch them when they showed up.

I got home from my niece's softball games last night around 8:30ish (Congratulations on your wins, girls!) I was outside until almost 9:00 watering flowers and such. Then I was putzing around in the house and busy. Around 10:00 or 10:15 I went outside on the deck to refill the hummingbird feeder. I noticed a shadow out front, then another, and another, etc. You would think I would have caught the culprit, but NO! Don't worry, I'll be keeping my ears open as these guys will need to be passed on at a later date :)

Happy Scrappin'

Happy Birthday to me!

2011-06-07T06:21:00.001-05:00

Yes, today is, in fact, my birthday. I have got this song stuck in my head, so I thought I would share and now you will too :) I love being able to do that!

I am also thinking about the movie Sixteen Candles - although i am just a couple years past 16 :)

Happy Scrappin'

Another productive day

2011-06-05T09:51:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was another very productive day around my place. It was such a nice day and I really felt like going for a motorcycle ride, but instead, I was a good girl and got my back deck all stained. Here is the 'before' picture. (Yeah, once again, this was back when we had snow and before I actually owned the house, but still...)

And the 'after' - Another transformation at the new house - putting more of 'my' touch in it.

Then a touching moment when I went out to take a picture of the completed work. Most of you (if you either know me or have been reading my blog for a while) know that I love dragonflies. It all started when my daughter drew the one that I have tattooed on my ankle. Since she's been gone, I have loved them even more and feel like when I see one, it's her way of saying 'hi' to me. Sometimes when I'm out walking, I will have one follow along with me - sometimes for a mile or more. I just feel close to her and feel like she's with me when that happens. Well, imagine my surprise when I went to put a pot of flowers back up on the deck. There was a dragonfly sitting there (granted, it was not a pretty colorful one, but still). Not only that, but it sat on my finger, too. That was just unusual, but once again, I felt like my Rhonda was there with me. It was not afraid and did not fly away for a long time. Now this was quite the accomplishment for me, too, because I don't like bugs on my. It was hard not flicking it off me - they kind of stick to you and it tickled! The other tough part was having it on my finger and trying to get the camera adjusted so I could take a photo - that's hard to do one-handed.

All-in-all, it was a great day :)

Happy Scrappin'

June Jubilation

2011-06-03T06:28:00.000-05:00

Today I have some awesome Stamp of the Month artwork to share with you.

This stamp set, Jubilation, is only available during the month of June, so if you want one (and who wouldn't?) you need to get a hold of me this month to order it. Or, go directly to my website, do not pass GO, do not collect $200 - well, if you can figure out a way to do that, let me know...

OK, on with the artwork. Lynn created this awesome layout and cards using the Stamp of the Month. It is a very versatile set for all your crafting needs - especially card makers!

Happy Scrappin'

Parmesan Ham Bread

2011-06-02T07:38:00.000-05:00

Today I have a brand new, easy, yummy recipe for you to try.

Parmesan Ham Bread

1 8 oz. carton whipped cream cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 lb. ham, finely chopped
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 loaf (1 lb.) garlic bread

Mix all ingredients together. Cut loaf in half lengthwise and spread mixture on toop. Broil 3-5 minutes until lightly browned.

Now, since I used a frozen loaf of garlic bread, I left out the tsp. of garlic powder (just because I thought it was garlic-y enough) and I also half way pre-baked the loaf of bread prior to putting the mixture on top. Then I just baked it the rest of the way instead of broiling it (I wanted the mixture melty and warm, not over done). You are free to do with it what you please, but this worked for me :)

It doesn't get much easier than that, does it?

Happy Scrappin'

June Free-for-All

2011-06-01T08:16:00.000-05:00

June is here and with a brand new month, I have a brand new special for you, too!

During our Studio J Free-for-All in June, we're giving everyone a FREE Studio J Jpeg file - no purchase required! Simply log in to my website, go to the Studio J tab and create a layout. Then order one Jpeg file of your layout. It's as easy as that! Download and save your file so you can post your layout online, email it to family and friends, or print them.

Discover how quick and simple scrapbooking can be with Studio J - and get your FREE Jpeg layout in Free-for-All June!

Now, you might be asking yourself just what you would do with a Jpeg file of your layout!?! Well, let me tell you...Not only could you share it on social media sites (such as Facebook or a blog) but you can also email it to your family (far away or not so far) as a fun way to share more than one picture at a time (a collage of sorts). Another fun idea would be to choose a layout that would work for your needs and print copies of that layout for your Christmas cards (either on your own printer or sent it to Walmart, Snapfish, Winkflash, etc.) How much fun would that be to send as a Christmas card instead of the plain old photo card?? These are just a few ideas, if you've got more, send them my way, I'd love to hear them!

Please be sure to email me if you have any questions what-so-ever!

Happy Scrappin'

Canvas Make-overs

2011-05-31T06:14:00.000-05:00

You may or may not remember these canvases I made a while ago (depending on how long you've been looking in on my blog).

Now that I have moved, and made this fun new sign welcoming everyone to my scrap room, the canvases just did not match. I was wondering what to do with them when my Mom (thanks Mom) suggested that I just re-do them to match. Well, of course she would say that!?! Not being one to waste anything or throw out something that is still perfectly good, I decided I would do just that. The paper used is retired now, but between my stash, a sheet from Mom, and that of a friend (thanks Liz) I had plenty for a do-over! I also just had to change the color of a few flowers and then I was good to go.

They do match the sign perfectly now and are gracing my stairway heading downstairs to my scraproom.

Have a home-decor project you need help with? Just let me know, I have lots of ideas floating around in my noggin :)

Happy Scrappin'

Thank you to our Military-past and present

2011-05-30T20:13:00.000-05:00

I wanted to get this post up right away this morning, but alas, Blogger had different plans...

Today is a day of honoring our Military-past and present. I know I am very grateful for them all and their families!

I am also remembering my Dad today (more so than usual). He was a Vietnam Vet and I didn't even get a chance to meet him for the first time until I was a few months old. I have to say, this is not the way I remember my Dad looking, though :) Love you and miss you bunches, Dad!

Tomorrow (providing Blogger cooperates) I will have photos of my latest project that I got completed :)

Happy Scrappin'

Wine anyone?

2011-05-29T07:04:00.000-05:00

How is your holiday weekend going? Mine is going very well. I am enjoying all of it so far, and I hope you are, too! Not only is it a long weekend for most and Graduation weekend here, but we pay tribute to our military. I know I am very grateful for all they do for us!

Today I have a fun little project to share with you. I had a birthday gift to make and found this wooden box at a craft store. It has been hanging around for a while (you know the deal...big plans that just don't come together??) Well, this was the perfect time to get it made. I used some really old paper, but thought it was perfect for the box. I like the way it turned out - the only problem is that when I make just one of something, I sometimes hate to give anything away. I end up wanting to keep things. Well, it is my goal to change that! Share the love, I say :) Happy, happy Birthday Sandy, I hope you enjoy your gift :)

Happy Scrappin'

1 more thing checked off the list...

2011-05-27T08:43:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I got one more big thing checked off my oh-so-long to do list. I was exhausted by the time I got done, but it feels so good to have it completed.

Here is the before picture of the front of my house

And here it is after I stained the deck yesterday. What a difference (well, besides the fact that the snow is gone). There was not any stain on this deck so it was really soaking in. It took me almost 8 hours to do the whole thing, but I think it looks great! What an accomplishment. Silly me had visions of getting the back deck done yesterday, too! LOL Whatever was I thinking?? Maybe next week...

Now a question for any of you gardeners out there. Does anyone know what this might be? Flower? Weed? It is growing abundantly on the one end of the planter around the deck, bt I don't know what it is. If it's a weed, I will pull it out, but if it's not, I will leave it. Any help anyone can offer would be great. Thanks so much in advance.

Today I am headed down to the Cellar Dweller's Dream to finish up a couple of projects in the works down there (I really dislike 1/2 finished projects). Stay tuned for photos of those.

Happy Scrappin'

Now I lay me down to sleep...

2011-05-25T06:20:00.001-05:00

Here is one of the projects I was working on. I needed something for the wall in my bedroom and this idea popped into my head. I just had to wait until my crafting space was put together and organized a bit so I could work on it (some other projects just had to come first).

I used to say this prayer every night when I was a little girl. I found this fun frame and from there I just started creating. The sweet leaf ink and ribbon along with the chocolate ink and cardstock match my room perfectly and the Angel Sent stamp set worked out great on this project. I love when things come together :)

Happy Scrappin'

Hummingbirds

2011-05-24T07:19:00.000-05:00

Remember those hummingbirds I was watching yesterday morning while I was drinking my coffee? Well let's just say that they are fascinating to watch! Off and on all day every time I would walk by that patio door, I would see them out there. I grabbed my camera a few different times throughout the day (and the sun even came out for a while) to try to get pictures, but those little buggers are so fast, it's tough to do.

I have a pair of hummers hanging around and watched as the female would sit on top of the Shepard's hook as the male drank nectar. I have never seen that. It continued to happen all day long (the female would drink, too, but it happened a lot that she sat up top). Do you think I could get a picture of that? NO! I did get this one of her sitting up there, though.

Who'd a thunk that these little birds could hold my attention for so long? Certainly not me, but I sure love having a place to be able to see them from my house now :)

Last weekend I just bought an oriole feeder. I do not want to put it up yet as it attaches to my deck rail. I am planning to get my deck stained this week (if the weather ever clears up nice) so I figured I'd put it up after I stain. Well, I ended up putting the cup on the deck rail with some grape jelly in it to see if I can attract any orioles. What surprised me last night on the rail but a bluejay! Do they eat grape jelly, too? If you know, please leave me a comment and let me know! He surprised me, but I loved it!

Stay tuned to tomorrow's post for a project! Yes, I did create a little yesterday and have another project in the works! I have to get some pictures today as the sun is shining..well, ok, the sun isn't really shining, but at least it's not raining right now :)

Happy Scrappin'

7 years old and a new welcome sign

2011-05-23T10:18:00.002-05:00

What a wonderful weekend I had. It was busy, but great! Saturday was full of parties. First up was Clara's 7th birthday party. Happy Birthday, Clara!!

Then it was off to graduation parties. On my way home, I saw deer, a bear, and more deer. Seeing a bear is not an uncommon thing around here anymore, but I am just not usually lucky enough to be the one to see them. Well, I did on my way home Saturday evening, I just couldn't get a picture, he was too fast (and I was driving).

Sunday brought a lot of guests to my new home. My Mom and her husband Norm came down to help me out with a couple of projects. I was so happy to get my new track lighting up in my scrap room. I love it! Look what else Norm got put up for me...

My new welcome sign leading to the scraproom :)

I also had a lot of friends stop over.. I absolutely loved it!! Come on over to visit anytime, I would love to have you :)

Today, as I sit here drinking my coffee I am watching it rain (again) but I get to see my hummingbirds at the feeder. Maybe, if I am patient enough, I can get a picture to share with you tomorrow. Then I have a project or two to work on this week that I can hopefully get done.

Happy Scrappin'

Grown up Mac n Cheese

2011-05-19T07:12:00.000-05:00

Remember these pictures from a couple of years ago?

The girls from work all got together at my place and we put together these fun little recipe albums.

Well, I have looked at one of the recipes many times and just not ever made it. I had the perfect opportunity yesterday. See, my sister had a little surgery done (bye, bye bunion) and I went over to see her. I brought over lunch (with enough leftovers for the family for supper, too). What better than a little Mac n Cheese comfort food. This is even the grown up version and oh-so-yummy!

Just so you know, I've added my comments to the recipe, too (don't I always). If you have read my blog for a while and know how I cook, I do not always follow recipes exactly-I usually use what I have or make it work for me :) I guess I am a little like my Dad after all-that's the way he would cook! Also, just so you know, I doubled the recipe and just made it in two separate dishes-a bigger one for my sister's family and a small one for myself.

Baked Swiss Cheese & Ham

1/2 package (8 oz.) large rings (I just used macaroni because it's what I had on hand-pasta's pasta, right?)
3/4 cup chopped onion
2 Tbsp. butter
1 1/2 cups cubed ham
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 (8 oz.) container sour cream
1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded Swiss Cheese (I used 1/2 Swiss and 1/2 whatever I had opened in the frig)
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2-3 tsp. Dijon style mustard
1 (2.8 oz.) can French Fried onions

Cook pasta according to package directions. In a small skillet, cook onion in butter until tender. Combine all ingredients except French Fried onions, mix well. Put in greased 11x7 baking dish. Cover and bake 35 minutes at 350 or until hot and bubbly. Uncover and top with French Fried onions. Bake 5 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes and then eat. Oh so creamy and delicious.

I made a loaf of beer bread to go along with this. Doesn't get much better than that!

Happy Scrappin'

2011-05-17T07:05:00.000-05:00

So, as promised, here are a couple more layouts from my Mexico trip. I am still working on that album, but will bring you more pages as I get them completed.

Happy Scrappin'

Easy Potato and Bacon Breakfast Bake

2011-05-16T08:46:00.000-05:00

Today I have a recipe for you that I tried out on Saturday morning. It was really tasty, but I will also share my thoughts about it.

Potato & Bacon Breakfast Bake

4 cups Southern Style hash brown (the cubed kind), thawed
1 pound bacon
3 cups shredded cheese (I used a mixture of cheddar and whatever I had left in my frig)
1 bunch green onions, chopped
3 eggs (I would use at least 5 or 6 eggs as mine needed a little bit more)
1 cup milk (if you up the egg amount, I would add a little more milk, too)
salt and pepper to your liking

Cook the bacon. While bacon is cooking, put hash brown in a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle cheese over the potatoes. When bacon is done, drain and reserve 2 Tbsp. of drippings. Cook onions in the drippings for 2-3 minutes or until they're tender and smell really good. Spread onions over cheese and then sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper-pour over the potato mixture. cover and refrigerate overnight.

Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly but not brown. Let stand about 15 minutes (or until your tummy won't let you wait any longer) before digging in.

See, it's really easy, but like I said, I'd add the extra eggs. My potatoes were just a little bit too dry for my liking. Other than that, it was very yummy! Of course, when I reheated some leftovers to eat, I added some butter and that made it all better, too...doesn't everything need a little butter?

Happy Scrappin'

May Club layout

2011-05-15T07:09:00.000-05:00

All around, it has been a great weekend. I had a great friend come to visit me (someone that was really there for us when we lost Rhonda-and continues to be there for me). I was talked into going out for fish on Friday night, we had a great breakfast Saturday morning, and then I was off to my niece's volleyball tournament on Saturday. Wouldn't you know that I forgot to bring my camera to the tournament! Those girls did a fabulous job! The 6th graders only lost one game out of 6 matches! Awesome job! I was so proud. Then those 4th graders...wow, they really impressed me, too. When they grow taller - look out! They have a lot of skill already in those tiny bodies!

Then comes my "Club Sunday". Today is my last club day of the year (well, until fall anyway) and I just love when the girls come over to scrap. I usually take the summers off as everyone seems to be busier than ever then. We start back up in the fall about the time school starts.

Today, this is the layout that the girls will be creating while they are here. I precut everything for them and have it all ready to go for them. After they get that done, they are welcome to stay and work on their own projects as long as they wish. They can use any of my stamp sets and inks (I have 'just a few'...or is that a few too many??)

Happy Scrappin'

Mexico trip layouts

2011-05-11T09:25:00.001-05:00

Finally, here are some of the layouts I created last Saturday at the Crop for the Cure in Cumberland. These are the layouts that Tina had prepared for us on the scrapbooking cruise I went on last winter. I just never took the time to put them together on the cruise...there was sunshine waiting for me! It's all good, though, as I used the album for pictures from my trip to Mexico.

Stay tuned for more pages from this album...

Happy Scrappin'

Studio J artwork

2011-05-09T10:29:00.000-05:00

Well, since I was at a Crop for the Cure on Saturday, I thought I would show you some of the artwork I got done there, but for a couple of reasons, I am going to have to put that off for a day or two.

Number one, yesterday was a miserable day for me. Mother's Day is a tough day for me anyway, but this year it was extra tough. I cried so much, my eyes just burned. I also have not been sleeping well the last few nights, so I was really tired. Yeah, I actually slept really well all night. I woke up, but just lay in bed resting cuz it felt so good to lay there listening to the thunder and the rain. I should have known...the doorbell then rang. I was not expecting anyone today (at least not till about noon) so I popped out of bed to answer the door. Good thing I did, it was the mudder (mud and taping the sheetrock that the carpenter put up last week). He wasn't supposed to be here till tomorrow, but since it was raining, he came today. It's a good thing, really.

I must have really looked a mess, as my eyes were crusted shut this morning. I know, probably too much information for you :) My eyes are still swollen, but I do feel much better. It's amazing what sleep can do for you.

Now, the plumber is here to replace faucets and put in a shower for me. These are all good things, but just put a kink in some of my plans. I was also going to take pictures of my layouts from Saturday, but remember that thunder and rain I talked about? Well, it doesn't make for very good pictures! So...for now, I will show you the jpegs of my latest Studio J layouts I just made and got ordered. I love, love, love the classic scrapbooking and actually playing with the paper and embellishments, but Studio J is so fun and easy, too. I love it also.

This last layout is actually the front page and the back page for my album. See how easy?

Remember, you can try Studio J for free! All you have to do is go to my website and click on the Studio J link. It is free to use until you place your order. If this is something that you think you will enjoy and use, I do suggest purchasing a membership-then you get your layouts for 1/2 price and also get free memory protectors and free shipping once per month! What a deal!

Happy Scrappin'

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T09:35:00.000-05:00

I want to wish all the Mom's out there a very Happy Mother's Day! Especially my Mom, my Grandma, and my sister. This photo was from Christmas last year. Aren't we a good looking bunch of women? Just so you know, the answer is yes, whether you think so or not :)

Tomorrow, I have some artwork to show you...yeah, I created yesterday :) I know, it's about time!

Happy Scrappin'

My move and wonderful new neighbors

2011-05-05T06:48:00.000-05:00

Well, I have told you that I was moving...here is the card I sent out to let everyone know of my new address.

The move has gone well, but I have also discovered (ok, I knew it, but have re-discovered) that I am not a patient person. I want everything moved in and put away immediately. Is that too much to ask for? I have put things away and moved them and still thought about whether it was where I wanted them or not. I have carpenters here starting today to work on my downstairs, so the organizing down there is on hold until the sheet-rock dust settles! I have lots of stuff piled upstairs just waiting for that to be done. If only I could just wiggle my nose and have it all done in an instant!

I also have the best new neighbors any girl could ask for. Last week, Paula brought over these beautiful tulips from her garden (the bulbs came straight from Amsterdam!) Then last night, my neighbor Patti brought over some gorgeous daffodils from her garden. What a delight! As if that wasn't enough, my other neighbor was cutting my grass last night. Wow! I think I struck it just right! I love my neighborhood!

Soon, I will be able to get my craft on again in my newly organized "Cellar Dweller's Dream."

Happy Scrappin'