Friday, August 31, 2012

Happy Halloween Hattie

Happy FRIDAY!  YAY!  I just love this stamp and had so much fun making this card!  I came across some flowers in my Prima stash and they were perfect . . . they had a ghostly quality to them because they were sheer.

The layout came out of my head this time (rare) . . . I just turned the strip of spider web paper I had and decided that it could work on an angle.  Then I just stitched and added brads and flowers, etc.  

Stamps:  Hattie (Kraftin Kimmie), 2009 Halloween Tags (Papertrey Ink)  Paper:  Eerie (Basic Grey), Lily Kate (Basic Grey), Grey (Prism Papers - NLA), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah)  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)  Accessories:  Fabric Fancies (Prima Marketing), Purple Got Flowers paper flowers (Prima), black brads (The Paper Studio - Hobby Lobby), Sewing machine (Singer), white thread (Coats & Clark), copic markers.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Mitzi the Mummy

The layout for this card came by way of google.  I googled (is that even a legit word?) for card sketches and browsed until I found one I thought would work for the image I had.  The sketch came from Patricia Hays blog "Thinking of Inking" - Freshly Made Sketch #36.  I think it worked perfectly for this card . . . it was just what I was looking for.  Here is the sketch and finished card:  


Stamps:  Mitzi the Mummy (Kraftin' Kimmie), Spooky Sweets Vol. 1 (Papertrey Ink)  Paper:  Old Olive (SU!), Basic Black (SU!), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah), Eerie Collection (Basic Grey)  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)  Accessories:  Black and White Polka dot ribbon (Michaels Inc.), Sewing machine (Singer), Black thread (Singer), copic markers.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Zelda the Zombie


In my quest to find some Halloween images that I adore (because I am literally obsessed with this right now), I came across Kraftin' Kimmie stamps and fell in LOVE!  I found that they sold them at 7kidscollegefund . . . which just happens to be located in Phoenix, so I placed my order and picked them up a couple days later (because I was SO eager to get them and couldn't wait for them to be shipped to me) and I have been having SO much fun playing with them.

This card is my least favorite of the four I made this week.  I like it, it is just missing some pizzazz...maybe if I play with the stamp some more I will come up with something more magical.  Anyway, thanks for stopping by for a visit!  Have a great Wednesday!

P.S.  I also adore this set called Mimi Halloween (Penny Black) . . . does anyone know where I can buy it for not super expensive shipping?  If you do, please let me know in the comments because I am obsessing over it but I refuse to pay so much shipping for it . . . surely I can find it somewhere . . . 

Stamps:  Zelda the Zombie (Kraftin' Kimmie), Happy Halloween (Saavy Stamps)  Paper:  More Mustard (SU!), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah), Basic Black (SU!), Eerie Collection (Basic Grey)  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)  Accessories:  Black brads (The Paper Studio - Hobby Lobby), Sewing machine (Singer), Black thread (Singer), Copic markers.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Michael's Grand Canyon Adventure

So a few days ago, Michael called from work and was talking about some friends going to hike the Grand Canyon. I asked if he wanted to go with them and he said yes.  That night after work he went shopping for some camping gear and food and the next morning he left to go hike.  It was totally spur of the moment but I am glad he went.  There is no way in heck I would take all four kids to the Grand Canyon, far too dangerous.  I was nervous about it because I knew it was a pretty tough hike and Mic is not really a camper per se, but things went well.

Hiking in after sleeping in the parking lot

6 miles down, 2 miles to go - Mic and Wei


Arriving in the village - Wei, Michael, Sam

Ultra classy meals at the camp site

Hi HOooooooo!  Mic in the quartz mine

Promised to come back alive, being extra careful

At the base of Mooney Falls and then the climb back up.  

The climb down was wet, slippery and dangerous.  The night before, Wei saw a shooting star and though it was an omen of death.  Wei thought he was going to die on the climb.


Hiking back from Mooney Falls




Laying in the waterfall (pictured here) was Michael's favorite activity on the trip

Cave Smores 



Top:  Keith, Tim  Front:  Michael, Wei, Sam

Random Horse Skull hiking up the mountain - encouraging - keep hiking or die like this guy

The trail was washed out, so Michael missed the turn and almost wandered into the desert, but some horse riders saved the day and got them headed into the right direction.

Donkey's carried gear in and out of the canyon

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot Ruins

Today we decided to go on a little adventure.  We have been discovering the cool things about Arizona lately.  Today took us about an hour and a half north of Phoenix.  I figured if it is a national monument it has to be pretty cool right?  It turned out to be super neat.  My kids were not excited to go and leave their DS and other toys at home, but on the way home after they all said they really enjoyed the trip.  As usual, I took a gazillion pictures . . . enjoy!  Here is a link to some information about the site:  Montezuma Castle

Pretty view on the drive up - Sunset Point Rest Area

Kids checking out the view - Sunset Point Rest Area

Sunset Point Rest Area - M still sleeping

My fam with Montezuma Castle in behind them

Montezuma Castle - so amazing!  




Walking down the path . . . love these sillies

Mr. Squirrel has made Montezuma Castle ruins his home . . . 


Cool lizard we saw

A big creepy black beetle we saw on our walk through - EW!

Me with some of the lower ruins behind me (the ones built close to the base of the mountain)

 

Can you see the hidden butterfly

We finished checking out the castle ruins at about 4 o'clock, with just an hour left, we quickly hopped in the van and drive the 25 miles over to the Tuzigoot ruins to take a quick peek. As a side note, we drove through the cutest little town on the way to the ruins.  I swear it was the model for radiator springs in Cars . . . they had an old gas pump, a surplus store, a hippy dippy store, it was kind of freaky weird and the main street in town was so old and small.  The Tuzigoot ruins were neat because the kids could get a lot closer to them.  The building inside was kind of icky as you went up the stairs to the top of the ruins because it smelled like animal pee, but other than that, really cool!

Me and my kiddos at Tuzigoot Ruins


 M and Em at the ruins - quick take it before the huge ants get us

At the top

View from the very top

Nice pile of bricks . . . 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Peach Strawberry Cobbler with Buttery Lemon Crust

I made this for dessert tonight and it was totally yummy!  I loved the hint of lemon with the combination of strawberries and peaches!  Absolutely delicious!

Peach Strawberry Cobbler with Buttery Lemon Crust

Ingredients

For fruit

  • 1 1/4 pounds firm but ripe peaches (about 5), peeled, pitted, cut into 1-inch-thick wedges
  • 12 ounces strawberries (about 3 cups), hulled
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch




For topping
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Vanilla ice cream

Preparation:



Make fruit:
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Butter 8-inch square baking dish. Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Let stand until sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer to prepared dish.
Make topping:
Mix flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl until smooth. Beat in egg yolk, lemon peel and vanilla. Add flour mixture; mix just until moist dough forms. Spoon dough atop fruit, spacing evenly. Bake until juices bubble thickly and topping is golden, about 55 minutes. Cool slightly and serve with ice cream.


Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Peach-Strawberry-Cobbler-with-Buttery-Lemon-Crust-101825#ixzz23a0mc9e4