Snow Day

Snow Days - Oh how I love them - a  chance to get caught up on things. I'm going to try to get into the dentist today for a tooth that has been bothering me and hopefully it will be a quick fix.  The rest of the day I think I'll spend baking Christmas cookies and working on scrappy projects.

It's just not right that I'm in Ohio in the cold and snow while 4 of my grandsons are in Florida where it's still warm enough that they are catching lizards!  Love the photos from Jessica of Joshua and his catch.

I completed this layout for the weekly challenge that Mara did last week at Croppin Paradise. 

Christmas Bazaar Day 12

"On the Twelfth Day Of Christmas My Scrappy Friend Gave To Me" . . . a calendar.
You need to check out Nubia's very clever calendar idea . . . and what a great gift!
I hope you have enjoyed the CP Twelve Days Of Christmas Bazaar.

Christmas Bazaar Day 10 & 11

"On The Tenth Day Of Christmas My Scrappy Friend Gave To Me" . . . a stunning 7 Gypsies receipt tray.  Lisa's work is so inspiring that I'm going to have to get one of these to do.

"On The Eleventh Day Of Christmas My Scrappy Friend Gave To Me" . . . cute treat cones.  These would make wonderful gifts for teachers & friends, or party favors, or . . . lots of possibilities!

Be sure to check out the CP forums for the details for these projects.

Christmas Bazaar Day 9

“On The Ninth Day Of Christmas, My Scrappy Friend Gave To Me” nine teacher gift bags filled with Christmas treats. It was so easy turning these inexpensive gift bags from Jo-Ann’s into adorable treat bags for teachers. I cut out the snowmen using my Cricut and the Winter Woodland cartridge. The Jillibean Christmas Chestnut Soup collection was perfect for this project and is available in the CP store.

Christmas Bazaar Day 8

"On The Eighth Day Of Christmas My Scrappy Friend Gave To Me" . . .  Christmas ornaments that are just beautiful . . . and oh the possibilities with all the fun Christmas scrappy supplies out there!  You won't want to miss Wendi's ideas so check out the CP forums.

Christmas Bazaar Day 7

"On The Seventh Day Of Christmas My Scrappy Friend Gave To Me" . . .   framed art.  Trish has come up with a quick and easy idea for a shadow box - what a great inexpensive gift idea!  Be sure to check it out in the  CP forums.

Christmas Bazaar Day 6

"On The Sixth Day Of Christmas My Scrappy Friend Gave To Me" . . . a very cool photo holder.
Be sure to check out the Croppin Paradise forums for this unique idea from Katt.

Christmas Bazaar Day 5

"On The Fifth Day Of Christmas My Scrappy Friend Gave To Me" . . .  an awesome pencil holder that is just so cleverly made.  Trish posted the details in the Croppin Paradise forums . . .  be sure to check it out!

Gift Card Pockets

Gift Card Pockets

A gift card makes a convenient Christmas gift and it’s more thoughtful than just handing over cash. When wrapping or presenting your gift card add a unique and special flair by placing it in a gift card pocket designed by you.
You can make six of these gift card pockets with one sheet of 12 x 12 paper.

Supplies:
1 sheet of Echo Park double sided Christmas paper
1 sheet of Echo Park Element Stickers
1 sheet of Echo Park Alpha Stickers
Glue
Brads
Embellishments of your choice

1) Cut your sheet of 12 X 12 paper into six 6” X 4” pieces. Each piece should be 6” wide and 4” tall.
2) Fold the 6” side in half so you have a piece that is 3” X 4”.
3) Cut off the top half of the top flap of the card in half or diagonal depending on which card pocket you are making. You can also fold them different with either side of the pattern paper showing. (I did three with each side of the paper.)
4) Open you card and lay flat.
5) Decorate the front using the sticker sheets and the embellishments of your choice.
6) Turn your card over (inside of card should be showing) and apply glue to the outer edge and the bottom of the left side and adhere to the back side to make your pocket.

Christmas Bazaar Day 4

"On The Fourth Day Of Christmas My Scrappy Friend Gave To Me" . . . an amazingly clever altered tin filled with Christmas magnets and a sweet gift tag to match.  Wendi has posted the details for this gift project on the Croppin Paradise forums and on her blog.

Christmas Bazaar Day 3

"On The Third Day Of Christmas My Scrappy Friend Gave To Me" . . .  an altered 7 Gypsies tray filled with all kinds of goodness!  Be sure to check out the Croppin Paradise forums to see the adorable altered tray that Jenny made.

Christmas Bazaar Day 2

Mara made some adorable gift tags that are sure to delight eveyone.  Check them out on her blog or in the Croppin Paradise forums.  I need to get busy and make some of these!

Christmas Bazaar Day 1

I can't believe it's the first of December!  But you still have time to make some unique Christmas gifts for your family and friends.  Chances are if you're a scrapper you already have the supplies in your stash.
Croppin Paradise is hosting "The Twelve Days Of Christmas Bazaar" starting today and running through December 12th.  Be sure to check out the CP Blog each day for a different project made by a Design Team Member. 

"On The First Day Of Christmas My Scrappy Friend Gave To Me" . . .  an altered paint can complete with a winter banner for hanging up.
I used the BoBunny Midnight Frost Collection to complete this project - available in the CP store.

Twelve Days of Christmas Bazaar

Where has this month gone?! I can’t believe Thanksgiving is over and that we’re moving into the Christmas season . . . and so many exciting things coming up! One of them being . . .

Are you looking for that perfect Christmas gift for a friend or family member? It’s never to early or to late to work on handmade gifts for all those special people on your list. If you’re looking for or planning on making gifts be sure to check out Croppin Paradise for the Twelve Days Of Christmas Bazaar. Each day starting on December 1st through the 12th a CP Design Team Member will post a unique gift idea that you can make using your scrappy supplies.

Here’s a sneak peek for day one -

November

"Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable, the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown
along the street or road by a gusty wind, and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese.
Both are warnings of chill days ahead, fireside and topcoat weather."
- Hal Borland

November has not been to bad weather wise with it’s cold mornings and higher than normal temperatures in the afternoons. The skies have been blue and there has been an abundance on sunshine . . . I wonder how long that will last?!

Between work, family and the class I’m taking I haven’t had a lot of extra time . . . just enough time for some scrappy projects and some card making.

I can't believe we took the boys Trick or Treating in 86 degree weather . . . my kind of weather!  Poor Joshua was sweating to death in his little dragon costume lol!

Oh the joy of going swimming on a hot October day.  Moving to FL is looking better and better.

Christmas Cards I made using the Basic Grey Jovial Collection for the card swap at Croppin Paradise.



Friends:

Friends:




Do you know someone who is sincere, honest, loyal, truthful, trustworthy and dependable? If you do have a good friend, hang on to them. A good friend knows when to listen, when to correct, when to encourage, when to protect and when to slap you (so to speak). Someone that knows how you feel and knows when they need to be right there . . . but also knows when to step back. Someone who loves you for you and does not judge you for the times when you’re not living up to even your own standards. When thinking of my dearest friend I can’t help but to think of this quote by Sharita Gadison - “Some friends come and go like a season. Others are arranged in our lives for good reason.”

After attending my 40th class reunion and via Face Book I have come in contact with friends I have not connected with in years. Friends are like shoes - both my friends and my perfect pair of boots can bring me intense joy. Just as my favorite pair of flip-flops aren’t perfect for every occasion, neither is every friend I have. I think it’s necessary to have a variety of friends - from comfy to professional. I really feel blessed to know so many people who I can call friends who are encouraging, loving, caring and honest and have a sense of humor.

Scrappy Projects:



I've made so many cute fall cards . . . now I just need to get them in the mail to family instead of hoarding them lol!

 

The end of the month will be here before you know it. Where did October go!? Although I’m not big into Halloween (no decorations at our house) . . . I did make these treat bags for Jacob, Isaac and Joshua's teachers and bus driver. They are packed and will go postal to FL in the morning. I hope the boys can get them to school in one piece lol! Wouldn’t these make cute party favors? Your guest would be in for a spooky . . . or sweet surprise. I made them using my Cricut and the Mini Monsters cart and the Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cart. For the two treat boxes I used the paper from the MME Haunted Collection available at Croppin Paradise.

One of the CP members posted in the forums about the TV show Hoarders and it got me to thinking . . .


To me collecting anything is a ridiculously terrible idea, what’s the point? Maybe it’s just my personality - but I would be stressed out if our house was full of "stuff" or collections (of anything) . . . just more to dust!
I do however have some treasured family keepsakes and photographs. I am lucky enough to possess some valued family heirlooms, from handmade linens to my father’s high school football medals. These items have been handed down from generation to generation and are cherished by each new recipient. Family treasures come in all shapes and sizes. The simplest object can hold the memories of generations. Each photograph that I have acts like a window into my family’s past. That’s why I’m an avid scrapbooker, working to capture the most precious memories. I’m preserving the present for the future and the past for the present.

OK the thing about not collection anything . . . do I have to count scrappy supplies?

Recent Projects:

40th Class Reunion

Crepe Paper Flower

For those of you who could not get into the tutorial:

What if . . .

What if you had an embellishment that you could use that would be a quick and easy way to add a feminine touch to any of your crafting projects?
What if this embellishment was easy to alter and could be used in a variety of ways?
What if this embellishment seemed to have no limits, in-that it could be used on masculine projects too?
Well you’re in luck! Flowers are a hot trend in paper crafting and you can make your own, they couldn’t be easier. Take these adorable little flowers made from Crepe Paper streamers for instance.

Supplies needed for each flower:
1 yard of (any color) Crepe Paper Streamers
Scalloped scissors
Glue ( I used Scotch brand Scrapbooker’s Glue)
1 brad

You will need to cut 9 circles from the Crepe Paper using the scalloped scissors.

3 circles that are approximately 1 ¾”
3 circles that are approximately 1 ½”
3 circles that are approximately 1”

(The circles do not need to be perfect.)

Glue the circles together by placing one drop of glue in the center of each circle and staking the circles on top of each other largest to smallest.
Let it dry completely.

Punch a hole in the center of the circles, through all 6 layers and insert a brad.

With your fingers crumble the layers for the desired finished look.
 
 

I used the one I made on this card -

Happy flower making !


Each week a DT memeber at Croppin Paradise is in charge of posting a class. This week I'm showing you how to make these cute Crepe Paper Flowers - be sure to check out the tutorial.



I can’t tell you how thankful I am that the weekend is almost here! I have so many new scrappy supplies to play with and two new Cricut Cartridges. Well I‘ve had the cartridges for a few weeks but I have not had time to get them out of the boxes. Plus my birthday present (a new sewing machine) is still sitting here waiting to be used. So many fun things to play with and so little time.


If you’re looking for some inspiration head on over to the Nikki Sivils blog and ck out the awesome projects. I might add that I was totally excited to see the CP Design Teams work featured on her blog. Woo Hoo!

You might also want to check out the Croppin Paradise blog for the Bo Bunny reveals - totally fun supplies to create with!

I'm always looking for a great scrappy deal and I found another deal a day site that you might want to check out: Crafty Steals.

Recent Projects:







Taco Soup

1 pound of ground turkey or lean ground beef
1 large onion - chopped
1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix (small)
1 package Taco Seasoning mix
1 can white kidney beans (16 oz.)
1 can pinto beans (16 oz.)
1 can corn (16 oz.)
1 can stewed tomatoes (mexican style) (16 oz.)
1 can stewed tomatoes (16 oz.)
Brown meat with onion, drain excess fat
Place meat and onion along with all other ingredients in a crockpot for 6 hours
(If you want it a little more soupy add a little water.) 



Randy's Take:

The texture was wonderful -

The flavor was fantastic -

The eating experience was delightful -

In other words I can make it again lol!

I'm sure this will become one of our favorite meals.

40th Class Reunion

I attended my 40th class reunion last night; Shelby Senior High class of 1970. There was something momentous about this occasion. There were a few surprises . . . folks that were rail thin in high school had plumped up considerably. Others who were chunky had illogically thinned down. There was grey hair (mine included), and bald heads, and yes . . . wrinkles. But it was more than a gathering to compare weight gain and weight loss and hair colors and hairlines.


Our class was defined by; hippies, the drug culture, long hair, short dresses, denim, rock and roll and disobedience. It was a time that made us think, express and create in ways that still influence us today.

Way back in 1975 at the first class reunion you could spoof yourself into believing that you were immortal and that you would enjoy an endless succession of get-togethers. But after hitting 58, you cross the threshold of denial . . . it was reflected on the faces around me. Yes, we are aging . . . some more gracefully than others I might add. There were the usual assortment of mid-life health problems. Many were troubled with bad backs, hips and knees. I consider myself very fortunate and blessed indeed to not have any health problems.

Through all the passion and loathing, births and deaths, achievements and failures, the sorrows and the joys of living for 50 plus years . . . these are the people I knew way back when. The nerds, the partiers, the jocks, the clowns, and the dreamers and schemers. There is just something nostalgic about seeing old friends. Why is it that the stories never grow old . . . only the people who are telling them.

Judy, Cheryl, Me, Pam, Becky

Class of 1970

Wanted to share two layouts I did for the Nikki Sivils reveal at CroppinParadise this month.  The Happy Holly-Days Collection was just perfect for these Christmas pages.

Hamburger Soup

Healthy eating is not about sticking to strict nutrition philosophies, or staying away from foods you like. Its about eating smart. It’s about what and how you eat. Watch for lower fat and higher fiber content. Portion control is important! Remember there is a lag time (about 20 minutes) between your stomach being full and your brain knowing it.


This is a healthy, hearty soup that is sure to please your taste buds and fill you up.

Hamburger Soup
1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
15 ounces canned diced tomatoes with chilies
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 cup corn
4 cups of beef broth
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon of black pepper
½ cup ketchup
1 cup whole wheat pasta

In a skillet cook the ground beef and drain.
Place the ground beef, onion, red pepper, celery, canned diced tomatoes, carrots, corn, beef broth, salt, pepper, and the ketchup and 1 cup of dried whole wheat pasta in a crock-pot. Cook on low for 6 hours.
Serve and savor!

Makes 12 cups
Per Serving:
105 calories, 1g fat, 3g fiber

school, scrapping and a new recipe

The school year for the agency I work for started last Tuesday, September 7th. If you want to talk about a long and hectic week!


But it got me to thinking and reflecting on my early school experiences. Growing up as a Catholic in the 1950’s, I began every single school day with mass. The mass itself was mostly incomprehensible - what little kid knew Latin!? There was this forty five minute daily challenge of what to do while God was at work up there at the alter, in a foreign language.
The nuns kept a tight lid on fidgeting and/or talking to your peers. I can honestly say that the way the nuns dressed perplexed me. They were all uniformly dressed in distinct clothing called habits, a long robe like dress, starched coifs, veils and a looped rosary.
The only nuns I encountered, close up and personal, were harsh, and not very child friendly. In fact, I was educated by nuns who were cruel and most certainly not loving in any way. I have no idea if the church officially sanctioned slapping children or not, but I was on the receiving end of those holy rights and lefts on more than one occasion and often experienced verbal abuse. My Catholic school experiences made me tougher, wiser and less trusting of people in power than I might otherwise have become . . . maybe that’s a good thing. I do know it shaped my image of the nature of teaching.



In the last month I have acquired a ton of scrappy supplies, some for DT projects and some . . . well just because I thought I had to have them.
So many projects to do, so many cool supplies to play with, and so little time.
Here’s a few sneak peeks using the Happy Holly Days Collection by Nikki Sivis and the Block Party Collection by BoBunny. These will be revealed at Croppin Paradise later this month.

I’m always looking for easy recipes to try and this one is easy as well as delicious! I would have never thought of using Cottage Cheese like this!

Sunrise Pizza
2 frozen whole wheat or multi grain waffles
1/3 cup Cottage Cheese
1 cup strawberries
1 Tbsp. honey
4 dashes ground cinnamon

(I added 2 Tbsp. whipped topping.)

Prepare the waffles accdording to package directions. 
Spread each waffle with a portion of the cottage cheese,
and 1/2 cup of the strawberries. 
Drizzle each waffle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Enjoy!

August 29

In the last three years we have literally stop eating all white flour and white sugar. Although I think this is a step to eating healthier . . . I don’t think it’s the only way.


Randy and I are physically active (going to the gym five mornings a week and usually three times a week after work to lift weights).
Being physically active is a great way to start healthy living, but you also need to eat nutritious foods.

Eating healthier is easier than you think. Here are five steps to get you started:

1) Use up at least as many calories as you take in.
2) Eat a variety of nutritious foods from all the food groups.
3) Check the labels on the foods you purchase for fat and fiber content.
4) Buy healthy foods when you shop. Fresh is best but this does not mean it has to be organic.
5) Learn to cook healthy - use fresh ingredients, use a steamer, or a slow cooker and avoid fried foods.

Irish Stovetop Skillet
Serves 6
Each serving: 142 cal, 2 gm fat, 4 gm fiber

1/3 cup water
3 cups thinly sliced raw potatoes (I leave the skins on)
1 ½ cups chopped onions
3 cups sliced cabbage
1 ½ cups shredded carrots
2 tsp dried parsley flakes
1-8 tsp black pepper
3 (2.5 oz.) pkgs Carl Budding Lean Corned Beef, shredded

Put water in bottom of a large skillet. Arrange sliced potatoes in water. Layer onion, cabbage, carrots, parsley and pepper over potatoes. Top with the corned beef.
Cover and simmer over med heat for 20 minutes. Mix well before serving

I've had a little bit a free time this weekend, enough to work on some necklaces that I found on the Big Picture Scrapbooking Big Idea Festival taught by Georgana Hall.  I just changed them up a little and added some rub-ons and inked the edges.  These turned out so cute that I could be making them in ever color:)  And can you believe these are made from a wahser, scrap paper, Mod Podge and some cording?!

August 27

Another summer gone . . . Halloween candy and costumes are out in the stores . . . Where oh where has summer gone? Summers seemed longer when I was a kid! Does time move more rapidly the older you get? Maybe it’s because instead of looking at one l o n g year I tend to block it off . . . New Years to Valentines Day, then Easter to Mothers Day and Fathers Day. Then July 4th to Labor Day. Then Halloween to Thanksgiving and then Christmas . . . and before you know it the whole year is gone. I think I have enough summer photos of the grandchildren to scrap to help keep me in the mindset of summer for at least a little while. These are the latest layouts for their albums.

Every time Randy and I take a cruise we say that we wished we would have taken some dance lessons so we could knock everybody’s socks off on the dance floor.

So we finally took the first step - literally! Two weeks ago we went to our first “Ballroom Dancing” lesson. OK if we would have known that it was this much fun we would have went before!

We have learned (or should I say are learning) the Waltz, the Foxtrot and the Cha Cha Cha. I think my favorite is the Waltz - a smooth progressive dance characterized by long, flowing movements, continuous turns and rise and fall steps. I think you are suppose to be able to glide around the floor effortlessly . . . I’ll just say we need to practice!