Visiting St. Joe

August 15, 2014August 15, 2014Leave a comment

With not much summer left before school starts next week, we planned a mini vacation to the beautiful town of St. Joseph, Michigan. With life happening yet again, we were only able to get two days.

So….we packed as much fun as possible in the little time we had. We sat on the beach and laid in the sun, walked down the beach to check out the lighthouse and pier, ate a wonderful Italian dinner, visited fun shops, bought ice cream and desert, then watched the sun go down. (and that was just day 1)

The next day as the guys fished off the Pier, I sat on the beach. I closed my eyes and pretended I was at the ocean. With the temperature only being 63 degrees, we didn’t stay long.

Next, we headed off for a rooftop lunch. After lunch we went to the Fun park where Justin hit balls in the batting cages, raced go carts (I won) and then a round of mini golf. We looked up a local winery, tasted a few and then off to find a new beach. Still chilly, we only stayed 45 minutes while I soaked up as much beach as I could. Then off towards Chicago and a quick dinner and then back home again.

This was my first time visiting St. Joseph, I definitely want to go again.

A little Jane Austen Inspiration…

August 7, 2014August 5, 2014Leave a comment

Just a quick share today. Here’s another design team project for The Paper Forest.

The card uses stickers and paper from Authentique Papers “Favorite” Collection.

My “Favorite” Fishing Layouts

August 6, 2014August 2, 2014Leave a comment

Last Summer, for something different to do, I went fishing with the boys.

While the guys fished, I found a cozy spot under a tree and read a good book.

That’s the way I like to fish.

I made these layouts for The Paper Forest Design Team using Authentique’s Papers

“Favorite” Collection.

DCC: Crafting with School Supplies

August 4, 2014August 4, 2014Leave a comment

Every since I was a young girl, I have always loved shopping for back to school supplies.

In my family there were 5 kids. My Mom had to save all summer for this.

It was always a big deal picking out a new outfit and getting supplies.

So when it came time to buy back to school supplies for my kids, I always tried to make it a special day.

I always feel bad for the kids whose mom is going down the aisle stressed and complaining.

That mom just doesn’t get it. (she’s probably the mom who’s complaining in June)

Now that my son is in High School, back to school shopping isn’t quite the same.

But…I still stop and check things out.

l stock up on glue sticks, theme books and any little thing that I think I can use for my crafting

endeavors. (I still have lined notebook paper and folders from several years ago.)

For my Favorite Things Album, I picked up some inexpensive index cards for .48 at Wal-Mart.

When binding my book, I allowed enough space for two rows of cards.

Now, I can list favorite recipes, books, quotes. (anything goes)

Source: Paper and Stickers from Authentique Papers “Favorite” Collection.

This month’s Designer Craft Connection theme is : Crafting with School Supplies.

Look for the Designer Craft Connection Logo to start hopping.

Busy Summer Meal Planning

August 2, 2014August 2, 2014Leave a comment

I was recently thumbing through a magazine and noticed a week of dinner plans.

Each meal was designed to be ready and on the table in 45 minutes or less.

While I like the idea, I looked at the menu and said to myself.

“My family would never go for that.”

Black Bean Burgers with Srirachi Aioli and Greek Cucumber Salad?

Seriously, I wouldn’t even know where to start.

At the risk of sounding horrible… (Healthy Moms close your eyes)

Here’s what my Busy Summer Menu looked like for the week:

Mon: Ham Steak, Cheesy Potatoes, Green Beans

Tues: Fiend for Yourself Night (Baseball Practice, Dad out-of-town) aka leftovers

Wed: Crockpot Italian Beef, Baked Mac and Cheese and because we had three extra teen-age boys show up I added a Wal-Mart Pizza for good measure. (total of 9 for dinner)

Thurs: BLT’s and Chips. (Baseball Practice, Dad out-of-town) Of course, Dad/Grandpa stops by and offers to take me to Cracker Barrel. Who am I to refuse? BLT’s another night.

Fri: Pizza Night (of course!)

Now if this isn’t your idea of good meal planning, please don’t throw me under the bus just yet.

Once school starts, I’ll do much better. (I hope)

Until then, you can enjoy your Grilled Steak Panzanella with Pickled Vegetables and Bourbon Peach Limeade without me.

Day #3 of The Twinery & Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop

July 30, 2014April 20, 201511 Comments

Todays is Day #3 of The Twinery & Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop and my chance to join in.

I love Serendipity Stamps and using twine in my card making. This was a great chance to use both.

“Thanks” Card Directions:

Stamp flower images and leaves onto watercolor paper using black permanent ink.
Water color or color images using markers.
Cut around flowers and leaves.
Paint a thin coat of Diamond Stickles Glue over images for added sparkle.
I started my card by using a 2 1/2″ wide double-sided tape from Kool Tak on a 5″ piece of cardstock.
Closely lay strands of twine onto the super sticky tape to cover the entire piece of paper.
Cut out with a 4″ scalloped square die cut.
Apply die cut square onto cardstock layers.
Glue Flowers and leaves onto front of the card using a fabric glue. Embellish with adhesive pearls. Die cut “thanks” from blue cardstock and add to front of card.

Finished Card Size: 5″ x 5″.

Serendipity Stamps Products Used:

The Twinery Colors Used:

Peach Stripe, Honeydew Stripe, Denim Stripe, Lilac Stripe, Flax Stripe, Natural.

Today’s Hop:

Don’t forget to leave comments along the way for the chance to win some awesome prizes.

A is for Alex

July 29, 2014June 2, 20171 Comment

I recently got the privilege of attending my sweet nephew Alex’s first birthday.

Since the party was a Robot theme…

I decided to make a Mini Robot out of Smoothfoam to decorate his present.

Supplies Used for make the robot: (*affiliate link)

2″ x 4″ x 8″ Smoothfoam block
Hot Wire Foam Cutter*
Silver Paint Pen*
Craft glue
Letter stickers
Googly eyes
Pearl-head straight pins
Bamboo skewer

Trim out 6 pieces from the Smoothfoam block with the wire cutter as shown for a body, head, arms and feet. Paint all pieces silver and let dry.
Paint a wood skewer silver and cut into two pieces for the legs. Insert between the body and feet with a few drops of glue to secure.
Glue the head and arms to the body.
Adhere the eyes to the head, and a letter sticker for the child’s first name to the body. Place the letter “I” sideways on the head to create the robot’s mouth.
Push two pearl-head pins into the top of the head for antennae, each secured with a drop of glue.

My little Robot stands approx. 4″ tall.

This project was created for and sponsored by Smoothfoam.

Disclaimer: This blog uses ads and affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog. Thanks for your support!

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The Twinery & Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop

July 28, 2014July 28, 20141 Comment

Are you a Rubber Stamper? Do you love using Twine on your projects?

Would you like a chance to win some free products?

Serendipity Stamps and The Twinery are joining together in a Blog Hop for the next three days.

Every Day a new group of Designers and New projects. Start today’s Blog Hop here.

I will be joining them on Day #3 (July 30th)

Here is a few of the Prize Details:

Serendipity Stamps

To win the Serendipity Stamps Prize of $25 to the Serendipity Stamps website leave comments on all Serendipity Stamps posts each day.

To win the Facebook prize of $25 to the Serendipity Stamps website: like the Serendipity Stamps Facebook page AND leave a comment.

Embossing Clear Scraps Clear Shapes for Layouts and Cards

July 23, 2014October 9, 2015Leave a comment

Did you know that you can emboss Clear Scraps Clear Shapes? (I didn’t until recently.)

For my “Vintage Sisters” layout and “Smile” card, I started with a Clear Shape Flower.

To make the Flower:

I used my Big Shot and a Swiss Dot Embossing Plate to emboss my flower.
I dabbed Antique Linen Distress Paint on the front of the flower (raised dot) and Victorian Velvet Distress Paint on the back side of my flower.

This project was created for and sponsored by Clear Scraps.