And the Winner is.......

Madeleine! Madeleine won this basket of goodies at a Kids Cooking Demonstration we went to sponsored by Price Chopper. It was actually a fun time. Madeleine was excited not about the basket but about winning the wooden spoon! She thought she won the spoon and was pleased as you could be with her prize.

Workshop Projects

One of my good customers hosted a Take Three Workshop for me last week. These are the three projects that we were able to make and take. One of the projects was requested to be a holiday card so we created this one with using a Stamp Set from the Holiday Mini.



Another version of Frank, using punches and a paper bag.



The last project is always a choice between a 6x6 scrapbook page or a 3x6 card. This is the card and below is the scrapbook page. I love this DSP, it is from the Holiday Mini and has a fall flair.

BOO to you!

How cute is this? Dania designed it, I just copied it and found the giant Pixie Stix to put it on! I just think it is super cute and my son is just wishing he is going to get one, he wants the Pixie Stix in the worst way!

A little something

I love a little something, this is a cute gift enclosure set. It includes the box, 4 gift enclosure cards with envelopes using the Haiku Designer Series Paper and the Pocket Silouttes stamp set. I made four of them and have been using them as prizes at my workshops.



This is the box close up.



Here is one of the cards close up. A little something with a Big Wow!

Cocktails Anyone?

If you can't tell I love this Banbury Designer Series Paper (DSP). I used my Big Shot for the Scallop Circles, the cocktails really fit in the largest circle punch we have so I had to find a bigger accent to put them on. I love how they turned out. I used the absolutely fabulous greeting set to finish these cool cards off!

Gift Card Set

This is a gift card set for my Aunt in California. I have to send it off to her this week.



Here is the entire set of cards, they use the Haiku DSP, the Upsy Daisy Stamp Set and the Inspired by Nature Stamp Set for the Background. The cards are Tangerine Tango and So Saffron.

Merry, Merry Big Shot

Rudolph from the Big Shot!



Jolly Old Elf from the Big Shot

Who said Who?

Well Hey! I can't believe the days just go by. It' s been more than two weeks since I have had a chance to post. I have been busy working on my wonderful papercrafts to show you, along with entertaining friends from out of town, getting my kids off to school, etc, etc. Not to mention also, my camera battery needed to be replaced it wasn't charging right, then life just went on. I have some time tonight so I am going to share what I have been up to!

How cute is this owl. Just so cute. He is made with the Big Shot and the Top Note Die and one of the Scallop Dies that cuts both his breast plate and his eyes. The rest of him our Stampin' Up! Punches. He does look a little like Ferbie but I am really fond of him. Not my orginal idea I just executed the best I could from the picture, I had checked out somewhere out there on the information superhighway.

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday

This week at our house we have celebrated a few Birthdays. We had lunch today for Donna! Tammy brought this awesome lemon cake that was sooooooo good. I pulled out an oldie but goodie recipe to serve the ladies. I made seafood stuffed shells. I haven't made them in a long time and really forgot how good they are. They are stuffed shells made with crabmeat & shrimp in a white sauce. So good! Suzi made an awesome salad to finish off our lunch.

Donna got the honors of cutting the cake!


Karen got to join in the fun!



Smiles from Tammy!



Grins from Lisa and Amy




Thursday night we celebrated Grandma Margi's Birthday in Style. I made her another favorite. The PeanutButter Brownie Pizza. It was awesome! Grandma made a wish and blew out her candles.




Maddie and Grandma!



Please no pictures!

My big girl.....

Madeleine's first day of preschool for the 4 year olds. It was such a bittersweet day, on one hand I am excited for her but I see all these Moms with babies on their hips as they are dropping there kids off and I am just lost. I can't believe that part of my life is finished. I am really a little sad.



Movie star in NY headed to preschool! She just had to wear plaid today. I love plaid in September, I just love it! I can't not have her wear it on her first day! How fab does she look?

Let's be Frank

Not my original idea, but I just love this guy! This is a gable box for Halloween goodies!



Here's a card version of Mr. Frankinstein, he is just too funny!

Swaps

I copied this swap from another blog, and so many bloggers are so very kind to link to the blog they copied from, but I don't know who. It's not my idea, it so someone else's I just executed it for a swap and love the colors and the technique. I swapped at the Sminks meeting this week.



I also made this swap with the Simple Birthday Thank You Cupcake, How cute is that! I used the Banbury DSP for the cupcake bottom and the cherry. I embossed the top to make it look more like frosting. I sponged on some Pink Pirouette to finish off the top. I love the Pink Pirouette matching ribbon, don't you?

September Stamp Club Projects

Here is one of the cards for September Stamp Club, you have your choice of this stepped up version or the version below which doesn't have the watercolored and cut out piece added. Both cards are very nice and very seasonal.


The next two cards use our new Vanilla Hodgepodge hardware. There are two versions of this card too. The first one is a basic card with a Big Shot Top note and hardware, the stepped up version has some extra pieces that add dimension.



The final project is using the Pocket Silhouette stamp set that is 15% off this month and the new Baja Breeze Blue, plus a fancy Baja Breeze Button.

Holiday Party Preview

These are just a preview of the projects you will be making at the Holiday Party, Sunday October 5th, Don't Miss it!

More Halloween Goodies

I think this is called bag in a box. It's made with our DSP and the tab punch, Scallop edge punch and ribbon.




Candy Basket made with 12x12 paper and DSP.

Big Shot Baby!

I love my Big Shot, Here is another banner I made using Stampin' Up DSPaper and the Pennant Die, Scallop Die and the Serif ABC.

I attached the little ornament at the bottom of each pennant. I punched using our large circle punch DSP for the center.

Walk the Walk

Okay, I am trying to walk the walk if I am going to talk the talk.

I have been coaching a friend on better eating habits for her and her family and now I am taking some of my own advice and NOW my friend is coaching me. She has been doing great eating meals at home, healthy, thoughtful meals that are have a balance nutritional value and are yummy. I tasted one of these meals last night and it was super Yum-O! Talipia, broccoli and rice. The fish was seasoned to perfection with what, I have no idea, but it was super good. The meal even started with an appetizer of homegrown tomatoes in Caprice salad with fresh mozzarella and homegrown basil. Really Yum-O!

Last week I started by trying to pack better lunches for the kids, and today I am really on board. I dug out that cookbook that was popular last year about hiding veggies in the foods, so the kids get the value but without the hassle. I picked a few recipes and then two other recipes from Rachel Ray and some ideas from Family Fun about better lunches for kids. I made my list and headed off the grocery store, three kids in tow. Eating healthy is NOT cheap!

I came home and made my purees for my Deceptively Delicious recipes, carrots, sweet potatoes and butternut squash. I did not realize I had picked all orange ones but at least I am on it right, they all have nutritional value and there is no way Madeleine would any on her own! I Roasted and pureed the sweet potatoes, steamed and pureed the carrots and roasted and pureed the butternut squash. They will become part of Sloppy Joes, PB&J muffins, tomato sauce and oatmeal to start with.


Here's the proof, two cups of pureed carrots and sweet potatoes in 1/2 cup servings.


This is my new drink, I am giving up soda (not completely mind you, but only one a day vs. a six pack) It is 2/3 seltzer which has no calories and sugar and 1/3 low sugar cranberry juice. Not the same kick as my Pepsi but and better choice! Have to walk the walk and sometimes the shoes hurt and this is going to hurt at about 3PM on Monday when I am going to want my Pepsi!

Big Ideas with the Big Shot!

I made this great banner for Dylan's second grade teacher for the first day of school with my big shot. I went in and hung it up for her. I made one for Jack's teacher but gave it to him to give to his teacher. I tried to be the cool Mom and not go into his class this morning. I used the summer picnic designer paper and tart and tangy stamp set!