Friday, August 28, 2009

Thank You Flowers (for Embellish-Online)

I cannot believe how fast this month has zoomed by! Seriously time is flying this year. EEK! I had fun playing with my Vintage Picnic set again. I know, I know . . . but there are just so many fantastic stamps in it, good for so many purposes, I just had to. I also used my awesome Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird crafting kit (available by clicking here to go to Embellish-Online). Check back in with me tomorrow for my final project this month for Embellish-Online.

Stamps: Vintage Picnic (Papertrey Ink) Paper: Early Bird (Cosmo Cricket), Retro Mod Squad -{red} (Core'dinations), chocolate chip (SU!), old olive (SU!), solar white classic crest (Neenah) Ink: Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko), Creamy Caramel Classic (SU!) Accessories: Chocolate CandyDots (Pebbles Inc.), Chesnut Mini brads (American Crafts Elements), Tangerine Mini brads (Doodlebug Design Inc.), 1" Bloom White Paper Flowers (Bazzill Basics Paper), Assorted paper flowers (Prima Marketing) Copic ciao markers (Imagination International Inc.), sewing machine (Singer), brown thread (Sulky), Corner punch (Paper Shapers), sponge

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Papertrey Ink AUGUST Blog Hop / Mojo 101

THE CHALLENGE:

August is the month that Papertrey celebrates all things autumn! What better way to get inspired for the upcoming season change than each other! Our challenge to you is to create a project inspired by any aspect of fall. How about texture like fabrics, burlap, courduroy or stitching. Then there is color with hues found in autumn leaves, fall berries and other late season delectables. Patterns or motifs such as leaves, pumpkins, wheat and more. Try to use these attributes in fun and interesting ways that may be a little out of your normal comfort zone. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

I have been a closet Papertrey Ink junkie for a long time . . . but I decided that this month I would take my purchases and put them to use for my first ever blog hop with Papertrey.

Stamps: Vintage Picnic (Papertrey Ink) Paper: Retro Mod Squad - Vintage Collection (Core'dinations), Sugared (Basic Grey), Recess (Basic Grey), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah) Ink: Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko), Vintage Sepia Versafine (Tsukineko),Creamy Caramel Classic Ink (SU!) Accessories: New Leaf Vintage Buttons (Papertrey Ink), 5/8 Dark Chocolate Swiss Dot Satin (Papertrey Ink), sewing machine (Singer), brown thread (Sulky), nestabilities circle dies (Spellbinders), sponge, white crochet thread.

Feel free to scroll to the next post to see another project using Papertrey Ink stamps! Thanks for visiting!!!

Tea Anyone??? (for Embellish-Online)

I am not a HUGE tea drinker, but from time to time, I really need a cup of tea. It calms the soul. It settles my tummy sometimes while I am pregnant.

I came up with the idea to make a tea box, and at first I was thinking larger scale, like to hold a lot of tea, but then I came across this metal gift card tin from Lowes in my alterables stash, and I thought it looked about the right size to hold tea bags, so I tried it and it worked, fit perfectly, and this project was born.

I was thinking you could keep this in your purse and always have tea at the ready for those *stressful* moments when you need it!

I used some more of my Basic Grey Lemonade papers and jounaling cards with transperancies(Basic Grey), which you can purchase over at Embellish-Online. The ribbon I found which just happened to match perfectly, was from Basic Grey Lily Kate collection, which apparently has some similar colors.

Stamps: Tea For Two (Papertrey Ink) Paper: Lemonade (Basic Grey) Ink: Onyx Black versafine (Tsukineko), Wild Wasabi Classic Ink (SU!) Accessories: Lily Kate ribbons (Basic Grey), New Leaf Vintage Buttons (Papertrey Ink), Take Note - Journaling Cards with Transperancies (Basic Grey), sewing machine (Singer), white thread (Sulky)

Monday, August 24, 2009

Peachy Moist Muffins (from allrecipes.com)

Are peaches in season where you are? We had some big fat juicy ones at our grocery store this week from California and they were cheap cheap.

This morning I had some peaches on my counter that needed to be used up! As it turns out, my son prefers nectarines just like mommy. I just detest the fuzz. Anyway, I will be peeling some peaches for him later. I came across this muffin recipe and with a few alterations it is just fabulous! I know I haven't shared a recipe in like forever right? Hope you try them and if you do, let me know what you think!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans (I left these out)
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup peach or vanilla yogurt (I opted for peach and used 6oz. rather than 4oz.)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped peeled fresh or well-drained canned peaches

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, combine flour, pecans, sugar and baking powder. Combine egg, yogurt, butter and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in peaches. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
The first batch got gobbled up super fast, so I will post a picture when I make some more a little later! Happy baking!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Hey There Cookie (For Embellish-Online)

Welcome to my "Pick of the Crop" blop hop project, for Embellish-Online! I am so excited to participate this month with the AMAZINGLY talented design team @ Embellish!

There is ABSOLUTELY nothing better than yummy veggies!! At this Farmer's Market however, the vendors are offering up some dynamite designer papers, spectacular stamps, beautiful bunches of flowers, rockin' ribbons and just about every embellishment you could ever want! Ooh! And don't forget some yummy Lemonade, Basic Grey has a new recipe and its quite refreshing!!! Okay, I lied, scrapbook/stamping stuff might actually be better than fresh veggies. *grins*

A little gift package has been put together by the various vendors which will be awarded to one lucky person! Nope, its not tomatoes, corn or carrots! (*phews*) It's a special prize of American Crafts, May Arts Ribbon (ooooh, love this) and Thickers (ahhh, need these)! In order to get in the drawing for that special gift package there is just one little twist:

Hey Diddle, Diddle...You have to Solve a Riddle
Hop like a Frog.....To each and every blog
Then you can Park It...At the Farmer's Market
Put your answer in your post....And the Winner we will toast

The Riddle: What is black, sings at night, the latest rage and ends up glued to a page??

Here is my project! I had so much fun creating it! When I thought about farmers markets, I thought of all the delicious fruit and then I raided my fridge and came across this strawberry container (okay, so it had a few berries left in it, but I took care of them all in the name of this hop). I decided it would be perfect to hold something, but what?

Then I saw this adorable cut apart element card that came from the Cosmo Cricket Crafting Kit (Early Bird) and this idea was born! Cookies are always yummy and fun! Especially oatmeal chocolate chip ones! (They would be in there now but I was out of eggs yesterday and never made it to the store, maybe today)? I made this for a friend for her birthday! I hope she likes it! The flowers in the paper were punched out using my nesties and popped up for dimension.

Supplies: {Early Bird} Crafting Kit (Cosmo Cricket), Brown Vintage Buttons (Papertrey Ink), Candy Dots - brown (Pebbles Inc.), Dark Chocolate 5/8 Swiss Dot Satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Nestabilities Scalloped and Plain Circles (Spellbinders), sewing machine (Singer), white thread (Sulky)

Just reaching this blog post by luck and want to start at the beginning of the hop . . . go HERE (Cindy has a fun project for you to check out) . . .

Otherwise you can carry on and head over to Michelle's blog for a glimpse at something really cool . . . thanks for stopping by!

LOST -- head over to the Embellish Online blog and they will get you back on track! Have fun!!!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Sweet like Cherries (for Embellish-Online)

I am absolutely in LOVE with this Basic Grey lemonade paper that you can pick up at Embellish-Online. I love that yesterday's card and the one I have for you today look SO different but came from the exact same paper pad. HELLO -- can we say versatile???? Awesome!!! Sketch is Mojo Monday 98 (Mojo98)
Stamps: Pink Passion, Bashful Blue, Solar White (Neenah), Basic Grey - Lemonade Ink: Everyday Button Bits (Papertrey Ink) Paper: Versafine (Onyx Black) Accessories: Large Pink Fabric Brads (The Paper Studio - Hobby Lobby), white button brads (Making Memories), sewing machine, white thread, white rick rack

Sunday, August 16, 2009

True Friends (for Embellish-Online)

I know some of you may have read this on the sidebar, but I am the guest designer this month over at Embellish-Online. I am so excited for this opportunity! I thought I would share a project with you today that I made just for them. This project and I are featured on the Embellish Online blog today! Go check out my funny interview! Layout is WSC92.

Stamps: True Friends (F1189 - Stampabilities), With Sympathy - Loss of a Child (Papertrey Ink) Paper: Creamy Caramel (SU!), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah), Lemonade (Basic Grey) - available at Embellish-Online Ink: Creamy Caramel Classic Ink (SU!), Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko) Accessories: Labels 2 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Candy Dots (Pebbles Inc.), sponge, sewing machine (Singer), white thread (Sulky), brown stitched ribbon (The Paper Studio)

Be sure to check back tomorrow for another fun project I have designed exclusively for Embellish-Online!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

*Beat L.A., Beat L.A.* It had been a long time since we had gone to see a baseball game. M's boss offered him some tickets and so we went. Our seats were pretty good -- just past third base (lots of fly balls came out there). It was a lot of fun and SO needed. It was a cool game because the crowd had lots of Dodgers fans there too. It made it more fun I think! I also thought it was funny that when Manny Ramirez came to bat everytime, the crowd boo'ed him! He was so hated. *giggles*

M and I before the game started!

Ramirez at bat

Final Score Board

M and I at the end of the night with the field in the background


Monday, August 10, 2009

First Day of School

Today was an interesting day. We homeschooled E last year, but with the new baby on the way, and baby E only 8 months old, and J starting kindergarten this year too, we decided that maybe school would be the best, so we found a charter school opening up in the area and decided it would work for us. It was a rough choice because I want to do what is best for my kids, but at the same time, I want to protect my sanity too!

Today they started classes, E in first grade and J doing halfday kinder and I think they had some fun. It was weird being home for three hours with only the baby, but I am sure I will get used to the quiet. This morning while J was home too we went and got his hair cut which I have been meaning to do for awhile but it was just easier with one less kid with us. Here are a couple pics from their first day . . .




Sunday, August 09, 2009

Summer Escape Weekend 2009 - Mission Beach

What an awesome vacation we have had. We decided the perfect way to end it was to go to the beach. We lucked out and got free parking really close, and we spent a couple hours at Mission Beach and then hopped back on the 8 and headed home. I am just SO tired, but here are a couple pretty beach pictures!




Apparently sand tastes yummy cause he kept on eating it!
J Learning to ride waves
E learning to ride waves







Saturday, August 08, 2009

Summer Escape Weekend 2009 - Legoland

Legoland was fun but absolutely EXHAUSTING! Seriously, don't know how we used to do Disneyland until 11 pm or midnight. Legoland was open till 9 pm, we left about 9:30 and I was SO TIRED!!! The kids loved it. I am glad we went. Here are some of my favorite pictures:
J and E posing with LEGO Bob the Builder
Dad and E looking at the Inaugauration at the White House

Having a blast on CARGO ACE

Land of Adventure - LEGO Sultan and Camel

Round 1 - I wonder if E is a little scared? lol


Round 2 - That was fun mom, can we go again???

My two crazy kids sliding down the big slide! Love their faces!

J battling LEGO Darth Vader

Me and he who lives in a pineapple under the sea . . .

I took some more pictures in Miniland USA, of Las Vegas cause I thought it was cool! I will save those for another post though! Hope you enjoyed Legoland through our eyes!


Summer Escape Weekend 2009 - Legoland - Viva Las Vegas

I just love Las Vegas, NV. The first time I went there I was just amazed by the lights and the Bellagio Fountains and just everything, so when I saw that in LEGOland Miniland USA, they had their own "strip" I took a bunch of pictures to share. How cool -- hotels made out of LEGO! Hope you like 'em!