friday funny.

LOL!

Take 2. Gingerbread.

a few days ago on the Scrapbook Circle blog I had the chance to share a take 2 layout.  That means I picked an older layout of mine that I had created for Scrapbook Circle and had a second go at it!  I personally loved the first layout:

 I loved all the texture and sewing and edges.  So I decided with my second take to repeat some of those techniques but tweek it just a little:

 a few closeups:

 I cut the title and snowflake with my cameo--seriously LOVE that tool!
Our Christmas was GREAT we have spent many hours playing with the new toys TOGETHER, which is wonderful to NOT hear fighting but sharing and enjoying being with each other.  I hope that your day was WONDERFUL as well!
It's a bit over cast and supposed to rain--perfect for a soccer tournament game this evening!  Good thing I believe in layers!  Thanks for the visit!!

Merry Christmas

from my family to yours!

friday funny.

that explains SO much!

dinner recipes ala Pinterest

yep, I'm ready to try new things and we have had some success with Pinterest recipes:

Last week I made these tasty Taco Cupcakes:

source: HERE

I didn't have ground beef on hand so I used ground turkey.  It turned out DELICIOUS, I am looking forward to making this one again!

this was last night's success Bacon Quiche:

source: HERE

And being me, I added my own touch.  I used Mexican blend shredded cheese INSTEAD of swiss, also I made my own heavy cream by melting 1/3 cup butter adding 1 Tablespoon of flour cooking that for about a minute then I added 3/4 cup milk until it thickened.  Also, I don't have half and half I used regular milk.  Guess what it still tasted good!  This recipe receive 4 out of 5 thumbs up--success!  Next time I plan on adding a bit of garlic and onion.

my boy and I are making this for his class party tomorrow:

source: HERE

I didn't really read what they used for the nose and buttons so I bought Jelly Belly's...being Christmas time the candy section is CLEARED out at Walmart thanks to all the Gingerbread houses being built at school.  I had to be CREATIVE!

trying this today, it's in the crockpot now:

source: HERE

smells WAY good!

we are trying this tomorrow:

source: HERE

I plan on using ground Turkey, I've found that Sam's Club and Costco have it for sale at a reasonable deal.  For lean turkey, I find that the higher fat content the more it tastes "funny" to me.  It has an after taste that is not my favorite, not so with the Jennie-O.  I buy the 2 pack of 2 lbs. freeze one and keep one in the fridge.  Sometimes I'm even lucky and get a "deal" because the meat's pull date is coming up--LOVE that!

I'm off and running--thanks for the visit!

busy. celebrate December.

yep, I am!  yesterday was a bit of a catch up day, baking banana bread 2 batches (which is almost COMPLETELY gone), washing dishes, laundry, making dinner...it's the stuff that hasn't gotten done because I am BUSY.  yesterday, I worked up to the last minute before I had to run shower and pick up the boys to go see the girl play.  they played hard, their first loss of the season (for JV) but my girl managed to do this:

she is #20, yes that is her face pushing the goal in. they lost 2-1 like I said hard fought.  I think this is one of my favorite shots just from the reaction of all the other players faces and stances...

I do have SOMETHING crafty to share!  I have some tags up over on the Elle's Studio blog in celebration of December...they are doing giveaways so TUNE in.  here is a little peak:

 thanks for the visit!

Friday Funny.

LOL!

believe.

so today I was BOUND and DETERMINED to get those pesky don't want to do but should/need to do done!  I ordered a new screen protector for my phone, it's been needing to be done since September.  Weird thing is I only remember when I'm walking in to the gym--random!  The thing I think I'm most proud of myself is that it started out yesterday when my shelf pin broke in my kitchen island.  I took the broken piece to Lowe's and bought two different packages not know which size would be correct.  Thankfully I opened the right package first and fixed my shelf!  Little did I know that the shelf was being held up by ONE good thing I put the mixing pitcher underneath for support.  Dumb thing was that they are all plastic!  Now I know which size is correct I can go and replace the others in my 17 year old house!

now on to the crafty stuff:

 closeups:

 I created this layout with the Be Merry line from Elle's studio.  I had a BLAST on this layout!  I just rolled with however the crafty stuff took me.  I did a little misting, and embossing and pop dotting, stapling, stamping...AND..having fun!
two of the boys singing are mine...they participated in the program for our Christmas party..they did a FANTASTIC job!
I'm off and running...playing catch up and enjoying the quiet...THANKS for stopping by today!

creating keepsakes. you and me.

I have a REAL quick post today I am so happy to announce that one of my layouts is featured in the January/February 2013 Creating Keepsakes!

here is my fun layout of me and my hubby:

“As seen in the [January/February 2013 issue] of Creating Keepsakes magazine. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.”

the issue is LIVE today!  There are several ways that you can view it:

·         The paper edition: http://www.scrapandpapershop.com/product/creating-keepsakes-january-february-2013

·         The digital edition: http://www.scrapandpapershop.com/product/creating-keepsakes-january-february-2013-digital-issue

·         The extra online content: http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/issues/January_February_2013

thanks SO much for letting me share my news!  And THANKS for stopping by!

completing the to do list. 2007

Feels SO great to have a to do list and check stuff off like: returns to Sam's Club, call someone, can beans, address Christmas envelopes, finish Christmas letter, register a hotel for a soccer tournament, do laundry, pick up those yummy chocolate covered cinnamon bears....there was more today but I just can't remember what it was!  This was all after my trip to the gym this morning so I feel good about myself! :) 

I wanted to share a layout I made of my sweet little boy...back in 2007...he isn't so little anymore...but these pictures were in a special card he made for me out of construction paper...it was falling a part so I wanted to keep the picture and message that he wrote to me.  I had a BLAST working with the Elle's studio Be Merry line tags on this:

 His journaling:

 Closeups:

 this envelope has like wax on it, they are Tim Holts, got them on clearance at Michaels...cut is from Ali Edwards

 title:

 stamp by Elle's Studio

the misting on the background was from a cut I made on a separate piece of card stock (a color I wouldn't use!) and then I misted...
I'm off and running again!  thanks SO much for the visit today!!

celebrate today.

I was looking through my layout from November and realized that I hadn't shared this layout I made for Elle's studio:

 these pictures are from several years ago, I believe 5.  It's so fun to see how much these kiddos have grown up!
here are some closeups:

 I had a GREAT time mixing all sorts of things together.  I even cut some of Elle's studio stamps with my silhouette!
Sorry this is a total drive by today--I didn't realize the time and need to RUN! :)  Thanks for the visit!!

dear santa.

dear Santa came together quickly, less than 45 minutes to be exact!  This page is one of my gallery items that went up over on the American Crafts site.  I had the Kringle & Co. line out on my desk along with different Christmas pictures and ribbon.  For this page I limited myself to what I could grab:

 I seriously LOVE it! :)  I intended that my ribbon all go the same direction but then I thought, "what would it look like if I made the folds come in on themselves?"  LOVE it when a plan comes together!
Some closeups:

 see that cool green glitter ribbon?  It' SO soft and it's American Crafts--LOVE it!

Today has been a catch up day, pay bills, finish grandma brag books, balance checkbook, laundry, clean the kitchen, sleep in past 5:30 am.  I still have a few items on my list before our cookie exchange tonight!  Thank goodness for unscheduled Saturdays!

Thanks SO much for the visit today!

Friday Funny.

SO true!

snow!

today on the Scrapbook Circle blog challenge #43 went up.  I made this non-holiday layout using the All is Bright kit.

 here are some close ups (as you can see I popped the center part of the page with pop dots):

 I loved being able to document a picture that somehow missed the first time I scrapped them! ;)  All the info for the challenge can be found linked above--I hope you play along if you have the time--thanks for the visit today!

december daily.

I found time yesterday to finally edited the pictures of my December daily, it's simple.  I like it.  Most of it are either printable(s) from Ali Edwards (4x6 overlays, and 3x4 sentiments which I cut with my cameo and 3x4 journal cards) paper from American Crafts, and October Afternoon.  Washi tape, mist, chipboard, and tags from Elle's studio also a few elements of studio calico.  I will be filling in the days when I get the time to do so.  The album was something I had on hand it's 6 x 12, and the filler pages are from Becky Higgins you can find them HERE.  As you can tell I decided to just use what I had to save some $$, why spend when I don't need to?  I made it less labor intensive because I truly want to enjoy the process and season....That being said here are 26 pictures of my DD for 2012:

 The large 4 x6 will be filled with pictures as well as the 3 x 4...Thanks for being patient and looking at the WHOLE thing! ;)