Re-Run

You have seen this card before, but it was just perfect for Practical Scrappers cards this week! Transparency on a card - be sure to check out the other designer's examples!! As long as you are there, check out the Blog Hop. Lots of goodies being given away and lot of fun ideas!

My Days in the Kitchen

I have been spending time in the kitchen the past few days. I so enjoy altering recipes and doing my own thing with them. I have learned a few fun things while I've been hanging out and I thought I'd share. Be patient with me - some of these are pretty silly!

• We (meaning just me) don't like tofu. We (meaning both of us) were picking up a few groceries and the tofu curiosity got the best of me. I picked up a package, and I've been thinking on it for a week or so. So I tried making some at lunch today as a test run. Oh, I really don't like it. Now I have to tell you that I've always kept my mouth closed when it comes to food. I wanted Shane to grow up with "fair and balanced" taste buds. You know, if a Mom says "yuck" chances are the kids will think it before he/she even tastes it. Thus Shane grew up with lots of different great ideas about food, and I didn't have to make a lot of mac & cheese and hot dogs or a separate meal every day! But I deter from the....tofu...gelatin-like-wiggly-really-yucky tofu. I guess you know by now that I've saved Jerry from having to try this!! ( I truly apologize to anyone that likes this bean-curdy wet food. No - I admire you!)
• I was making Karen P's wonderful Cherry Bars (again). I didn't have the extra margarine/butter for the recipe, so at that moment I was very thankful for lessons I learned as a little girl. "Substitute because the store is far away (and probably closed), so you'd better learn what can work." Both my Grandma Matvey and my Mom lived with this theory. And we did live out in the country. There was a small store with short hours, but otherwise groceries were 30-45 minutes away. So to make a long story short, I needed to find a substitute . I pulled out my yummy homemade applesauce, and added that instead of the butter/margarine. Perfect! Jerry feels very spoiled. Thanks for the recipe, Karen! It's become one of our favorites!
• One sauce will work for many recipes. Do you know creamed tuna and peas on toast? Well, that white sauce works for country fried steak, bicuits and gravy, and I used it this evening to make a cauliflower casserole. I topped the casserole with a little bit of asiago cheese and fried onion. Again, Jerry feels very spoiled.

Cooking and baking is just something that is in my blood - much like it's in my mother's and four sisters. I called my mother to say hello this morning, and she told me the house smelled good because there was a pot roast in the oven. I learned to make a good pot roast from her. My oldest sister Linda is really good at making things healthy. I've learned how to alter recipes from her - not because I've asked much, but because I've listened. Patti, one of my younger sisters is adventerous in the kitchen, and I love watching all the things she tries. She loves Rachel Ray - isn't that fun that Rachel Ray has taught all of us so much? The first time I tried Snickers Salad is because my youngest sister Julie made it. Ooh, my family is hooked on that salad! And you should have seen the Italian spread my sister Shelley made at Christmas last year. It was a ton of work I am sure, and boy was it good!!

I know that a part of the way to my hubsy's heart is through his tummy. After all, the very first thing I ever made for him was caramel brownies. And he hasn't left me since! ;)

If you head over to Practical Scrappers this week, you are going to find some wonderful examples of working with transparencies. The designers have done a wonderful job of showing how to use these fun elements!

In the first layout, I've actually used two transparencies in a different way. I wanted to highlight my cute little grand-nephew while he was sitting with Santa. So I put a 4x6 transparency over his wonder-filled little face. I cut the pretty edges off of another one and used it for mats under the whole picture.


In the next layout, I've used pictures of my from my little years. I mounted the photos on cardstock and the 12x12 transparency went over the cardstock. The flowers and ribbon are on top of the transparency.

Now dig out those transparenices and see what you can come up with!!

You Color My World

I just had to let you know just that. You color my world!

I made this card sometime back, and it's one that I pull out of the box and look at often. That beautiful Emporium paper (CTMH) along with Priceless Love stamp set and embellishments, makes this card a keeper. I am having trouble using this one, so I think I'd better make a few more!!!

I hope you are having a good weekend. I had a scrapbooking garage sale this morning, and there was a wonderful turn out. It was nice to see so many friends and chat the morning away! And even more, it was great to meet so many new scrapbooking friends!

Stop and Smell the Roses...

This is a card I made some time ago. I look at it every now and again to remind me to do just that - stop and smell the roses.

Shane and his friend Ashley were here last night for dinner. I so love spending time with these two! They always have lots of stories to make us laugh. What a great dinner!

I am getting ready right now for a scrapbooking and stamping garage sale at my house on Saturday. Let's face it. My craft room could use some simplifying, and so I thought I'd share the good deals with others. I've been pulling new things out that I didn't even remember I had!

My box for Operation Write Home is going out with Thanksgiving and Christmas cards. What a wonderful place to send cards!!

After my garage sale, I'm taking a little time to stop and smell the roses. To tell you the truth, dear friends, I haven't been feeling all that well. It's getting a little harder to accomplish things without being exhausted afterwards. I would assume it's all the medicine I am on. I'm having a lot of other side effects as well, so I'm trying to get through them. This is the last medicine for me - having tried everything else - so I guess I need to do what I must to get through this. The troubling part for me is that I've been working with it for over 2 months now, and the side effects and seizures should have been gone. This is just one more more hill to climb, one more time in my life that I need to rely on my faith and wait to see all the marvelous things God can do.

So I'll be back, but I just need a little time to rest and try to get all this in balance. Keep watching my blog to see when I put that new out that new artwork!

Treasures from Close To My Heart

Oh my goodness! I just received the September stamp of the month from CTMH. It is so pretty! That beautiful big "puff" was just calling out to be embossed. I used Dazzle Versamark to emboss the white powder, so that is why you will see some sparkle. Be sure you get this set before the month is over. You won't regret it! I love the sentiments that come on this set. Let me tell you what CTMH products I used:

• Sweet Home Level 2 paper (gorgeous on both sides!)
• Treasure stamp set
• Dazzle Versamark
• White Embossing Powder
• Indian Corn Blue and Olive ink
• Hearfelt Whimsy Die-Cuts
• Craft Buttons and Waxy Flax
• Sparkles
• Connections Club Adhesive Pearls
• Random ribbon from here and there

Fact or Urban Legend?

All rightie. You are looking at an egg balancing on my kitchen cupboard. It stayed that way for quite a while. That is until Jerry knocked it over!

They say it's an urban legend that this will happen on the autumnal equinox. But here it is - as plain as the day I tried it as an science experiment when I was homeschooling Shane in 5th grade. I could go on with a full Science lesson about this, but suffice to say the gravitional pull is such that an egg can stand on it's end. This will work on the vernal equinox in the spring, too.

There is no tape on the egg. There is nothing holding it up - well except for the gravity part. It's just a very fun experiment to try on those two days of the year. And now my homeschooling science days really are done!! LOL!!

How Do Use That Felt?

Over at Practical Scrappers, we are having a challenge using felt. There are so many cute felt ideas out there, and you can also purchase a lot of different felt shapes. It is not necessarily imperative that you use a whole sheet of felt or even a bunch of pieces. I think it's so much fun just to add elements here and there. My first example is a 2-page layout where I've added a felt bird and dragonfly. In my 3x3 card, I added a felt vine under the flower. Just enough. All product is from Close To My Heart.

Try them sometime, and be sure to go to Practical Scrappers to see the other fine examples!!

Oh, the Joy of the Lake!

Jerry and I snuck away for the weekend and went up to Nisswa, MN. What a beautiful weekend we had! It was in the 80's and that is very unusual for this time of the year in MN. We stayed at a beautiful place right on the Paul Bunyan trail, so we did lots of walking. There were fall festivals in Nisswa and Pequot Lakes, so we took in those surrounding communites. Naturally, I have a favorite coffee shop up there, so we visited again. There was a great BBQ rib contest which Jerry just loved!

The lodge we stayed in had bikes (for free!) so we took a really great ride on the trail. With the weather so warm, we spent a good deal of time walking in the water and sitting on the edge with our feet in. There's not much better than these types of days!

I purposefully take a lot of pictures of Jerry on the lake. I know that my husband would like to retire there one day. If he told me that we were moving tomorrow in order to spend the rest of our lives on the lake, I'd pack pretty fast! We love the air by the lake. I don't know if I've ever told you, but I am just not a city girl. Where we live now if the furthest we can live away from Jerry's work, and we are blessed with a beautiful backyard with woods on half of our lot. However, there is still the "air" of city, much traffic, a little too much noise, and there are no trails. Isn't that funny?! I think I am getting quite finicky as I get older!!

Anyway, I do hope you take the time to get away with the one you love. Explore a new place (or an old place) and really enjoy the view. Take time to breathe, set your problems behind, and bask in what God has so richly blessed us with. You will be thankful you did!

Falling for Fall

I spent some time outside today with the furry kids. What a beautiful day here in MN! I had to snap some pictures of my sweetheart pets. Chanel started out rocky with us, but she has become one of the gentlest, most playful dogs I know. Do you know that she will jump up in your lap and lay her head on your shoulder? Now how could you refuse love like that? I am so glad that Shane brought her home to us and that she was rescued at the carnival!

As I type, Miss Sassy is waling all over my desk and looking for all the attention she can get. She just had her warm milk, so she's ready for a nap. Yes, I do spoil her and give her warm milk! When I was growing up on my Grandma & Grandpa's farm, all the kitties got fresh warm milk from the cows and they loved it!
















Do you have Sedum plant in your garden? If you don't, look for one at the nursery. Just when everything is coming to an end, here's the beautiful Autumn Joy Sedum bringing it's color to the garden. Lovely!


Well, I've got a beef roast with fresh potatoes and carrots in the oven, so I'm quite certain Jerry will be a very happy man when he gets home today!

Now I'm off to enjoy the weather for the day!
Let today be your best day!

Apple Time!

Jerry and I went to the Farmer's Market last night. Oh, it's apple time!! Both of us LOVE apples, and we especially like the ones that are freshly picked. There's nothing like a good honeycrisp! I wanted to share a recipe with you that I have already tried and really like. It's from Gooseberry Patch, and it will surely get your house smelling like fall!

Spiced Applesauce

(This recipe is from their new cookbook, Autumn with Family and Friends)

8 Golden Delicious apples, cored, peeled and cubed

1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

1/2 c. water

1 t. pumpkin pie spice

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker; stir to mix. Cover and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours, or on high setting for 3 to 4 hours. When done, stir with a wooden spoon. Gently crush applesauce against side of slow cooker to desired consistency. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

I'll tell you what I've done to the recipe differently. (I don't know if I've followed a recipe to the "t"!) I used Honey Crisp apples because they are our favorite. They are like "apple gold" but this is the only time we can get fresh ones at such a reasonable price. I also don't peel my apples. There are precious antioxidants in that peel and they are rich in phytonutrients. My pumpkin pie spice is always a mounding teaspoon. Those are such rich flavors - cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. From now through the winter, I add this spice to many things. (It's going on my squash for dinner rather than heavy maple syrup...)

Enjoy the recipe and let me know if you try it! I'd love to hear what you think!

A Great Book...

Oh what a wonderful new tool from Stormie Omartian! First I'll tell you a little background. I have been reading Stormie's books for years:

**The Power of a Praying Parent
**The Power of a Praying Wife
**The Power of a Praying Husband (this was a tool for Jerry)
**Lord I Want to Be Whole
**Praying God's Will for Your Life
**Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On
**The Power of a Praying Woman

Can you tell I've had a long relationship with Stormie and her wonderful work? All of these books have companion workbooks, prayer cards or books, and they leave you enough space for notes. I love her style of writing.

When I received her newest "Prayers for Your Adult Children," I felt like God has dropped another blessing in my lap and for my heart. If you've been reading, you know that Shane moved out on August 1st. Gracious, it was one of the hardest things I've gone through - letting him go and also adjusting to an empty nest. As the last couple of months have gone, I have adjusted well as I watch Shane taking life into his own hands.

However, I could never have come to that conclusion without so much prayer and God's loving arms. There are many more things I will have to pray for with Shane, but now I have been reminded of many things from Stormie's book (and these are her thoughts that I have taken from her book):

1. We need to know that parenting never ends. It is 24/7 for the rest of our lives.
2. We need to know we can't fix our children. Boy is that a tough one.
3. We need to know that God can change everything. Boy, is His grace sufficient!
4. We need to know that we have to stop blaming ourselves. God surely deserves more credit - go back and read #3.
5. We need to know we have to forgive. We've got to forgive hurtful words, people that come into our children's path that are very good for them, and most importantly - ourselves.
6. We need to know there is only perfect parent. And we have a direct line to Him through prayer.
7. We need to be able to say - wholeheartedly - "for this child I prayed."

If you need a good guide fro prayer or just want to refresh your prayer life, I urge you to pick up one or more of these books. I will never forget how "Enough Light for the Step I'm On" helped me through some difficult times in my life. Truly we only need the faith of a mustard seed, jsut enough light for the place we are right now.

Okay, I will stop rambling! Can you tell how passionate I am about Stormie's work? May you be blessed today.

Practical Scrappers - Stickers!

**Third post this morning! Scroll down for more artwork!!**

I challenge you to go to Practical Scrappers this week! We designers put together some artwork for you using letter stickers - only not as letters! I won't pull your leg - this was a tough one! However, in looking at my at my letters, I saw grass and stems for flowers. I like this layout in the end.

Basic Grey's Wisteria paper, BG Wisteria stickers, BG Porcelain stickers, CTMH flowers, random ribbons and sparkle.

Girly Stardust

**Second post for the day!**

As I was working with Stardust, I wanted to show that it could be used for girls and adults, too. Just because it is shown with robots and gears in the CTMH Idea Book doesn't mean that it HAS to be for a boy. Just as a sidenote, I love to do that. If paper is pink, I need to find a way to use it for Shane.

Anyway, I love this paper so I used some basic elements to make it girly. Bo Bunny inspired me with their sketch. They have such fun designs and ideas. Here is what I used for this card:

CTMH Stardust Level 2 and stickease, CTMH Moonstruck organdy, Petaloo flowers, CTMH buttons , brads,and waxy flax.

I've also taken CTMH White Daisy pigment ink and sponged the edges. This makes it soft and girly. Can't wait to send it!

Birthday Superstar

This sketch at Penny's Challenges was so easy to work with! If you are looking for fun challenges, check her blog!

I needed a birthday card, and Stardust paper from CTMH really brings the right elements. If you enlarge the picture, you will be able to see that I've used a glitter pen in several places.

Stardust paper, Stardust Stickease, Moonstruck and Outdoor Denim organdy, Topiary pin, random bling.

Yummy!

What a yummy dinner this was! We had come back from vacation with a good amount of fish. Jerry decided to take out the lodge pot and make a regular shore lunch dinner. Again, yummy! This is a treat in our house. Usually the fish is grilled or baked, so I look forward to the times Jerry uses the lodge pot!

So you know what was on the menu:
**Fish with the most incredible beer batter
**Hush Puppies
**Fresh Potatoes from the market
**Fried pickles

You probably thought this was great until you got the fried pickles! I had them the first time at our State Fair here in MN. Oh, they are so good! So Jerry had a little batter left and I had some Clausen pickles (the best!). Try it some time - oyu might like it!

For this layout I used the following:
Cosmo Cricket Early Bird paper and Journaling Tags (it's all about the kitchen!), CTMH Colonial White cardstock, buttons, clip, rub-ons, and edge anchors, CTMH white hemp and cocoa grosgrain.

I especially like using the rub-ons over ribbon, which is what I've done here. The edge anchors and buttons give the page a finished look to me.

Although this is a PageMaps layout, I was inspired to try this page from Cafe Mojo! Check it out, it's an awesome blog!!

Flowers and My Hubby

I saw this sketch and fell in love with it! My first thought was loads and loads of flowers - and I love using them on my pages.

This sketch is from PageMaps Blog. I adore their originality and use their sketches quite frequently. I've used the sketch almost exactly the way it was designed. That's a new one for me!!

All but one of the elements on this page is CTMH, and that is the pearls. So let me tell you what I've used from CTMH other than those:

Perfect Day Level 2 paper, Fancy Cut Botanical Die-Cuts, Clear Buttons, Friendship Small Alphabet, Dimensional Elements Borders, Fancy Cut Borders, Juniper Waxy Flax, Sorbet Ribbon, Colonial White pin, Tulip Bigger Brad, and Heartfelt Whimsy Die-Cuts.

Some Simple Inspiration

What a lovely room, yes? The colors are so soft and breezy! This room was the inspiration for Basic Grey's challenge. I kept that photo on my desk for a few days thinking about the soft green, flowers, wonderful blue,a nd the light streaming in.

Well, this is the card I came up with:

I am hoping you will be able to see the yellow paper I used from Basic Grey's Wisteria line. It has such soft flowers on it that I thought it was the perfect match. I used Garden Green paper from CTMH, and I backgound stamped little flowers on the card base (CTMH Intrinsic Backgrounds). I chose CTMH Crystal Blue paper as an element to match the bedspread. The stickers are from Basic Grey, and the felt pieces are from CTMH. There is clear shimmery ribbon from Paper Source over the long sticker. Lots of pearls added to top things off! If you'd like to see this card better, click on it and it will bring it up full-size.

I like color challenges like this because they really let you imagination soar!

Remembering September 11th

Michael W. Smith says it beautifully in this song. God bless the troops that still serve to make our nation a safe place.

Ok, Can I Make Up My Mind?

I want to apologize for all the background changes as of late. Goofy me! My eyes have really been bothering me (could be a medication side effect). I have been trouble using the computer, and it seems that I need as much of a white screen as possible. So here I go, trying something new. Thanks so much for being patient with me!!

3 in 1

#1) Look at this lovely set of cards! I received these in the mail yesterday from my generous friend Kim. What a wonderful thing to get mail - and a gift of cards! (You know we are so used to making them, aren't we?) I love to get handmade cards in the mail! If you have not been to Kim's blog, head over there. She is a fabulous artist, and you will LOVE her work! Kim, thank you so much for this wonderful mail!! You are the sweetest, and such a dear friend. The Be Yourself stamps set is one of my favorites!!

#2) I spent some time making Christmas cards for Cards for Heroes yesterday. This is such a wonderful cause. I first found it when I was looking for a place for my extra cards. Our troops love getting cards to send to their loved ones. I thought I'd get an early start on the holidays. CFH site is down right now - they are preparing for a blog birthday party! But please, check them out in the next few days, bookmark them, and if you ever have a bunch of cards you can't use, this is a really great cause!

#3) My last part of this post is a design by Inspirational Sketches. This was a fun sketch to work on. With the layering, it left a lot of room for possibility.
I used Roam paper from K & Company. Along with that I added some CTMH rub-ons ( I love the Sugar Pie sentiment!), a Prima natural flower, Crystal Sticker pearls, and some random ribbon. Seems like a good fall birthday card for someone special!

How fun to have a 3-in-1 day! I love it!

Make it Count

Boy, isn't that the truth! We need to make the most of every single minute we have!! Inspirational Sketches is having a DT call, so I thought that I would submit this card. I really like with bamboo and black, so I thought I'd put this together. Materials used:

• CTMH Silhouette paper
• CTMH Joy Forever and Make it Count stamp sets
• Red Sparkles
• Black/Bamboo ribbon from Paper Source
• Versamark Dazzle
  

The vine was handcut from Silhouette paper and distressed with Desert Sand ink. you know I took Versamark Dazzle ink and sponged it on the black cardstock in order to to give it some shimmer. Such an easy thing to do!

If you'd like to see more artwork, scroll on down. This is my thrid post for the day, so I don't want you to miss anything!

A Song to Share

**This is my second post today. You'll want to scroll down for artwork!**

You know there are many things going on in today's world. It seems pretty unsteady out there sometimes, doesn't it? I could go on and list things, but each one of us knows what has made our lives "different" in the last year or so. Prayer is vital, so I pray for each one of you every day! I may not even who you are, but God does. So when I send up prayers for my blog readers, rest assured He hears...

There is a song that gives me much inspiration. I guess sometimes I feel so small in this big old world (do you relate?). This song by The Martins reminds me that it only takes my faith to make it through...

Any other man surely would have been scared to see that Philistine just standing there

After all the man was over nine feet tall.

But a little boy 'bout half his size with a stubborn faith burnin' in his eyese

Didn't really seem to be afraid at all.

You see little David knew what the others did not

There's not a giant or an army too big for God.

Makes me wanna say,

Somebody give me a stone, somebody give me a sling

Then step aside and watch God do His thing!

We've got a giant in our way but that's about to change today.

When you stand for God, you don't stand alone. Somebody give me a stone!

Everybody has their own giant to face.

Some taller, some smaller, whatever the case.

Don't we all have problems bigger that we are?

But a childlike faith can pound for pound bring a lot more giants to the ground than any other weaponry by far.

You see little David knew what the others did not

There's not a giant or an army too big for God!

Now I want to close with a video by Casting Crowns. I think you'll like it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwsvqVmFV6Y

Jerry's Fall Party Invite

Hey, look at this fun invitation! Cuttlebug challenged bloggers to make an invitation based on a certain theme. Well, certainly I could have made a regular invitation! But Jerry is having a beer making party this fall. We have hops upon hops on our backyard vine, and he wants to put them to good use this year. He loves to taste unique beers, and he has really enjoyed making beer in the past. So he figured he'd make a party of it this year, and I'll cook up some chili in the lodge pot! I wanted to make a unique invitation that would make the guys at work look twice. So I took an empty beer bottle and altered it. (Be sure to click on it if you want to see it larger!) Here's what I used:

• CTMH Rustic Trails paper (It's so sad that this is discontinued. It's
• SO manly, and I loved the colors!)
• Cuttlebug Embossing Folders - Spots & Dots, Swiss Dots
• Cuttlebug 2x2 Scalloped Square Cutting Dies
• CTMH Olive and Bamboo Ink
• Pewter Spiral Clip
• Karen Foster Pewter Charm
• Olive Grosgrain
• Empty Beer Bottle and Hops

What a fun challenge! Be sure to check out Cuttlebug Challenge Blog Spot. It's their Birthday Palooza, and they have such fun things going on!!

Year 19

I was planning on scrapping our 19th Anniversary pictures right away. That was such a special evening, and we had such a wonderful time at the new restaurant Shane serves at along with his friend Ashley. I knew exactly what materials I was going to use, and it fit in wonderfully with Penny's challenge! Her challenge this week is pearls. You should hop over to her blog. She creates digital stamps, and this week she is giving one away FREE for everyone that enters her challenge!

• CTMH Silhouette paper (that big flower is hand cut from a sheet of paper)
• Thickers letters
• random lace
• CTMH black ink for distressing
• Liquid Glass
• Pearls - Creative Imaginations and Pearl Stickers
  

I wanted to show you some of the layout up close. When I cut out the large flower from Silhouette paper, I covered it with Liquid Glass. That is such a wonderful element on artwork. After it was dry (about 3 hours for this project), I added pearls.

Below you'll see my Thickers up close. LOVE these letters simply because they are glossy. They appear to have Liquid Glass on them, and they are slightly raised in this font. Pearls were the finishing touch on this simple layout that I took from the CTMH how-to book, Reflections.

Scrapping and Fishing...All in One Day!

What a fun day we had scrapping!! I thought a would share a few pictures with you. In the front row on the left - my niece Jessica and my sister Linda. In the back from the left - my niece Kristina, me, and my mother-in-law Sharon. So the hall pass was used, and the clapper worked great! I loved hearing that because then I got to see everyone's work and their creativity! Jessica and Kristina tied for the most pages done at the end of the day winning a card kit!

We played a couple of games during the day. I think the first one was much to everyone's dismay! I had everyone take out 2 sheets of matching paper that they liked and I gave them a 5x7 card base. Then they had to pass their paper to left and it was up to the person on the left to create a card for them in 8 minutes! It was a fun, fun game, and I liked seeing everyone work on a card quickly. Sometimes we might need a card in a hurry, and that's what I was trying to teach. I loved what everyone did! Kristina made my card from the Animal Cookies paper I passed her - and it is great! The best part was that everyone won (just the Ellen show!) and went home with a bag of cards and paper!

In the afternoon, I had everyone take out their ugliest piece of paper. You know we get packs or pads, and there is inevitably that one piece we don't like. We had to add one element and then pass it to the left. By the time it got back to the owner, it would have 5 elements and it would be BEAUTIFUL. I have to say, Linda's was the most difficult to work with. Brown peacock feathers - yuck! Am I right, girls? However, even Linda's was beautiful by the time it got back to her! Never underestimate any piece of paper!!

I have had request for the recipes I've used, so I'll put those in another post!

Now I have to bring you to the fishing portion of the day. Jerry spent the day fishing on Lake Superior on a charter. Oh, did he bring back some amazing pictures!! He is getting to be quite the photographer!!

I love the first picture because he purposefully caught the reflection of the cargo ship in the beautiful Lake Superior water.

Here's a morning picture on the lake. In the distance, there is quite heavy fog.

This is the catch of lake trout at the end of the day. Six of them fished, so this is a great haul. As I type, Jerry's portion is on the smoker. Do you like smoked fish? I love it paired with aged cheese. Hmmm. it will be yummy!

So it was a wonderful day for all! Our guests left by 6:30 last evening, and Jerry and I were sleeping by 7:30! Is that a sign of age? Please tell me it's not!! Really we both only gotten 3 hours of sleep the night before getting up at 3:00 am, so the rest felt good! But again I say, it was a wonderful, wonderful day!! I can't wait to scrap again with my family, and Jerry and his buddies are anxious for their next charter fishing trip!!

SO Excited for Saturday's Scrapping Day!

I have spent the day getting ready for tomorrow crop day at my house. SO MUCH FUN! I made everyone cute daisy boxes, adn I filled them with chocolate, caramel, and scrapping items. I can't wait to give them to them!

I have 4 people coming tomorrow. My sister Linda, my mother-in-law Sharon, and to of my nieces Jessica and Kristina. it has been so long since I've been able to scrap with them! Last October was the last time, and that's just TOO long! I've been to a couple afternoon crops with my mother-in-law, but nothing else. As you can see from the picture above, I plan on getting a lot of work done!

Click that picture below, and you'll see two pink items in the basket of sponges. One is a "Girl's Hall Pass." That is absolutely necessary at my house. Can't go if you don't take the pass! Next is a giant hand clapper - that even flashes! You must clap when you finish a page, and then you have to show it and explain it. Because then we get to clap for the creator!!

I didn't want people to waste time trottin into my craft room, so all my stamps, punches, and machines are out for everyone to use.

Now the last picture is of my kitchen while I was preparing food. I don't want to waste any time in the kitchen, so I do make ahead meals for the day. Egg Bake for brunch ( made with egg beaters for my sister) along with muffins (filled with carrots, raisins, coconut, and pecans) and chocolate chip banana bread. Then a 10-layer crockpot casserole with Tastefully Simple beer bread for afternoon lunch. The most important ingredient sitting on my counter is that bottle of diet Mountain Dew. It's what has kept me running since 7:00 am this morning!!

Surely will be a fun day of gabbing and laughing!! I will share pictures sometime this weekend!!

Six Cards...4 Pieces of Paper

I had several sketches in hand today, and I decided to make it even more interesting for myself. I had four different patterns of Basic Grey Porcelain paper. I want to make 6 cards with that paper. Furthermore, I wanted to keep the cards simple using one key ingredient - Liquid Glass. So you will see 6 simple cards made from 4 sheets of paper with few embellishments. Understated and pretty cards (hopefully you will think so, too!) that are useful for many occasions. Here goes!
This first 6x6 card is made with a chocolate card stock base. I've used browns, yellows, an pinks to create this for a Basic Grey challenge. I love BG paper, and have always told my "peeps" at Archiver's that BG can never go wrong! On the card you'll find matching alphas for Porcelain, dry embossing, and flowers cut from my Slice. I put Liquid Glass in the letters to give them some pop, and I also put it on the circles on the top sheet. Very fun!
My next card is a simple card using a Get Sketchy sketch. This card would be great for almost any occasion. I used the TLC stamp set, buttons, and swirl clips from CTMH. Oh, the base is made from one of the 4 sheets of paper!


















This card sketch is from CPS. Isn't it a great sketch? It's versatile and easy to work with. I've used the Gracious Greeting stamp set and Big Pink flower from CTMH. The other flowers and leaves are from Prima. Liquid Glass went on the petals of the Big Pink.














The next sketch from Card patterns is also a lot of fun. As you can see, I rotated the sketch. From CTMH, I used a retired stamp set and pink organdy. That gorgeous flower is from Prima. Again I put Liquid Glass on the dotted paper, and you will find some on the flower. As with the previous three cards, the base is made from a part of the 4 sheets!







How easy is this pattern from The Sweet Stop? I loved working with it, and I could see a lot of possibilities for any size card. I rounded the corners of the BG base. The CTMH is a discontinued set. I've also used pink organdy, sparkles, and buttons from CTMH.


The last card is a sketch from Clean and Simple. This is the card that made me think "simple" for all my cards. What a fun, quilty sketch! So that you know, this is a 5x5 card, and my squares are 1-1/2 x 1-1/2. I cut four of each pattern as the center is the base. Easy! Guess what? There is Liquid Glass on these dots, too! Along with the sentiment, the organdy and pin are from CTMH.

Challenge yourself to do something like this. I've made six cards today for a total cost of about $1.75 each. I have to tell you that most of my cards cost a lot more than that! I am a heavy embellishment person, but I know that Liquid Glass is cost effective. It was a good trade on these cards. Let me know if you challenge yourself in this way. I'd love to see the finished product on your blog!