Canvas Make-overs

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

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?

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...

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...

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

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

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

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'

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

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

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

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'