Monday, January 31, 2011

Today is Monday....

Today is Monday....Monday Green Beans...OK, not really, Monday was Sour Cream Enchiladas.  lol...but that song is going through my head right now.  If you are not familiar with it, look for this book at your local library, or buy it at your favorite bookseller.  I miss my little ones being....little.  hee hee  One of the librarians at our local library used to sing this song at story time every week.


So, Monday was Sour Cream Enchiladas.  I love enchiladas and I am trying to get the family back to meatless Mondays.  You can find the recipe over at Pioneer Woman's Tasty Kitchen.  They were delicious.  Although, as usual, someone decided they prefer regular, plain cheese, enchiladas to these.  Sigh, but...it is nice to add something to the rotation.  hee hee


Tuesday we had Chicken Tortas.  For those of you unfamiliar with Tortas, it is a Mexican sandwich.  For these I fried some chicken breasts (a real treat that Brighton had been begging for, I don't like to fry ) and added jalapeƱos, chipotle mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and avocado...all on a fresh roll.  (be sure to scoop out some of the extra bread.  Here is a tasty recipe at Food Network if you need one.


Wednesday we had Tacos.


Thursday was Macaroni and Cheese with broccoli.  Boring, but the children love it.  I won't bore you with a photo.

And finally, Friday Phil came home and made smothered pork chops.  Which, I don't have a photo for because, well..we were in a hurry to eat so we could get to Mackenzie's parent observation at ballet.

Well, not really any recipe to share since everything is fairly simple.  So...let's get onto the good stuff.  

Last week, one of my lovely little darlings did not appreciate me trying to expand their horizons with sweet potato fries.  And that little darling is my son!  So, Cindy d...send me your address and I will get these goodies out to you.  

For now I am off to start tonights dinner.   But I will be back later this week with lots of things to share, cards and layouts and boxes, OH MY!

Hugs.

Nancy

Sunday, January 30, 2011

A Few Cards and.....

Some exciting news!!!

Which first?  hmmmmmmm

Let's start with the cards...because, well...nothing like waiting for the last minute to get something done.  As you may know, I am a member of the Cricut Circle.  Every month the blog hosts a challenge with some of the most amazing prizes.  This months prize is a Cricut Cake package...well, not that I know what I would do with a Cricut Cake, other than the obvious; but how cool would it be to own one?

This month's challenge was to lift a previous project from the blog.  So I decided to make a card set.  I am always in need of cards.  The colors in these cards were just gorgeous and that is where the inspiration began.




You had to use 2 of the blog sponsors, which isn't hard to do when the sponsors are so fabulous!  I chose Echo Park, Bazzill, and American Crafts; and some of my favorite images from Cindy Loo, Mother's Day, and French Manor.  I don't know how card makers do it.  Mine never look that good and the photos do not help.  Oh well....

Now on to some crazy exciting news!!!  Kristina from Your Memories Here as invited me to join her design team!  As you may remember, I did a guest design spot for her last summer.  I was simply thrilled that she asked and can't wait to get started.  Kristina has some of the most beautiful Prima around and has all the kits from the Live with Prima shows!  If you have never seen one of the shows, you should definitely check them out.  Tons of fabulous inspiration!

Well, off to get something productive done today.  It is really rainy and icky, and I am so not motivated to run errands, but alas....groceries must be purchased if we are to eat this week.

Hugs.

Nancy

Friday, January 28, 2011

The 28th...

I had every intention of posting yesterday.  But life got away from me....Do you ever have one of those days?  I am working on a set of cards for the Cricut Circle monthly challenge and being that the month is almost over I really need to get busy.  Not like I know what I would do with a Cricut Cake...but I do so want it!  lol

You know what I have been busy with tho?  Scrapping my adorable niece.  And this sketch from Sassy Lil' Sketches was just perfect for this photo I had.



I used my kit from Inspired to Scrap for this layout.  I had tons of fun inking those gorgeous papers from Pink Paislee and House of 3 and I loved the way Stacey mixed the papers with My Minds Eye.


Don't forget, you can link your take on the sketch at the Sassy Lil' Sketches blog for your chance to win a prize from one of our sponsors.



Our paper sponsor

Our digitial sponsor

To be eligible for the January prizes, your layout/card must be uploaded via Mr. Linky below by February 5th at 11:59 PM EST.

Specific rules regarding Sassy Lil' Sketch challenges can be found our "SLS Rules" page.
*The paper prize is open to US residents only.
The digital prize is open to all US & International residents.

Well, back to the grindstone.  It is going to be a busy weekend.  

Hugs.

Nancy

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Happy Hump Day

It is another gorgeous day today.  Do you think the weather has anything to do with the children not wanting to do their school work?  Spring Fever in January perhaps?

Well, that's ok, I will make it work.  We did manage to get everything and then some done yesterday, it is just slow going.  sigh

Enough about me....How about some projects?

I recently was cruising through my photos and came across this one of Mackenzie when she was 5.  She still shoots me that look occasionally.  hee hee....My fellow IFS artist Cathy designed the sketch...it was so cute.  I busted out the Cricut for the mushrooms and some ancient Prima flowers.  The Cosmo Cricket paper usually isn't my style, but I just loved the colors...and I think the style may be changing...becoming a bit more simple perhaps?  hmmmmmm
Cosmo Cricket patterned papers, Bazzil Basics cardstock, American Crafts Thickers, Prima Marketing flowers.

Brighton was one of the ones who was just to die to make holiday cookies.  Of course, when the time came, he really couldn't be bothered to focus on the task at hand.  lol  He is watching TV and listening to his iPod.   I used a Pagemaps sketch for this one.  I love sketches....have I mentioned that before?  hee hee

Bazzil Basics cardstock, Echo Park patterned papers and stickers, Paper Bliss layered embellishments.

And finally, Mackenzie working on cookies.  This is another Pagemaps sketch and a layout I really struggled with.  I love the colors from the Catch the Moments kit.  And I really liked the sketch.  The problem was...so much white space.  I still just can't get used to it.  I guess it is an acquired taste?
Bazzil Basics cardstock, Basic Grey patterned paper and flowers, American Crafts Thickers, Prima small resin rose, Unknown trim.

I have a few more things done or in the works...but nothing to share yet since it is DT work.  Speaking of DT work, guess I should go get busy!  Reveal day at Sassy Lil' Sketches on Friday...Catch the Moments post from me next Thursday.

Oh, and don't forget to guess who didn't like the sweet potato fries last week for your chance to win some fun  goodies.  You can see him here.

Hugs.

Nancy

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Is it Monday Again?

The youngest two seem to be in a mood today, so I thought I would sneak over and share some projects with you while I wait for them to decide they are ready to work.  Some days, it is just not worth the fight.  Eventually they will settle back into it...patience is a virtue.  sigh

Don't forget I have a little contest here...you could win some fun papers.

I did a bit of scrapping this last weekend.  I had been really wanting to play with my shabby look and found some great challenges to do so.

This first layout is based on a Pencil Lines sketch.  I have had some of these doo dads forever and it felt so good to play with them.  I love the Webster's pages, and Ainsleys making a wish at Disneyland in front of one of the beautiful trees...well.....just love.

Websters Pages papers, Prima flowers and bling, Tattered Angels mist, Pencil Lines sketch.

Another great challenge...and the one that really got me moving this weekend was over in The Color Room.  This weeks colors were gorgeous and the twist was a lift!  Well, how easy was that?  I adored Emma Trout's use of all the feminine products on a boy page, so I had to lift her.  I even used the same papers.  Hers is sooooo gorgeous.
Websters Pages papers, Prima flowers and butterfly, Pink Paislee alphabet and medallion, Misc. trims. Tattered Angels mist, Martha Stewart border punch. Hambly rub on.

And finally, a fun sketch from Sassy Lil' Sketches.  This sketch is from January 21.  I was looking through all my papers trying to find snow paper, but couldn't find anything the right colors and brightness for these photos.  They just didn't seem to work with the distressed look.  So, Cosmo Cricket to the rescue.  I used the back sides of Honey Pie.  The banner ...well, I was trying to decide what to use for a banner and when the tickets and the title came to mind...
Cosmo Cricket Papers, Cricut snowflakes, Stickles, Pink Paislee tickets, Scenic Route alphabet, Misc. trims.

Well, I think it is time to try again.  Hope your day is going better than mine.

Hugs.

Nancy

Monday, January 24, 2011

It's Monday and a Contest

You know what that means?  Time for some new meal ideas!  woo hoo

This week on Monday we had our swim team banquet.  Which means no cooking for me!!!  Hooray!

Tuesday we had the most tasty citrus and herb marinated chicken tacos...hmmm recipe anyone?  hee hee


Wednesday was a simple beef and mushroom stew...although, since Mackenzie doesn't really care for the broth, hers was more like beef and mushrooms over pasta.  Gotta make it work, right?

Thursday was one of everyone's faves.....Pulled pork from the crock pot.  I tried to sneak in some oven baked sweet potato fries (thought they were a little healthier for everyone) but one of the three children was not a fan.  Can you guess who?

Friday I made minestrone.  Seemed a little odd since it was almost 70 degrees...but no one complained.  lol


Recipe time....

Citrus & Herb Marinated Chicken
2/3 cup orange juice
2 - 3 jalapeƱo chilies, stemmed and seeded
7 cloves garlic
1 tbs black peppercorns
1 tbs salt
1/2 bunch cilantro
2 lb. chicken legs and thighs


In blender combine 1/3 cup of the orange juice, the jalapeƱos, garlic, peppercorns and salt.  Puree until the peppercorns are completely crushed.  Add the cilantro and remaining 1/3 cup juice.  Puree until smooth.  In a ceramic or glass oven proof dish, toss the chicken with the marinade.  Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 12. 


Heat the oven to 350 F.  Bake the chicken in the pan it was marinated in until the meat easily pulls away from the bone, about 40 minutes.  Set the chicken aside to cool.  Pour the juices from the pan into a bowl or cup and reserve.  Refrigerate the juices so that the fat rises to the top.  When the chicken is cool, remove the skin and shred the meat into bite sized pieces. 


When ready to serve, skim off the fat that has risen to the top of the reserved cooking juices.  Use the remaining liquid to moisten the shredded chicken as you reheat it.



How about a little contest?  As usual, I am trying to work through all the goodies in my stash to make room for some new things.  The quickest way for me to get through the stash???....share with you!    So, guess which of the three children did not like sweet potato fries.  I will take all who guess correctly...and pick a winner.  Easy?  I will also throw in some embellishment to match of course.  Just leave a comment below.

I will pick a winner on Friday.

I will be back tomorrow with some fun projects I did over the weekend!

Hugs.

Nancy

Friday, January 21, 2011

More Scrapiness

I am back with a few more projects to share with you.


Bazzil Cardstock, My Little Yellow Bicycle - Zach's life, everything else.

Brighton is getting so big, so fast.  Hard to believe he will be driving soon.  sigh  A pagemaps sketch.  I really struggle with boy pages.  Trying to find embellishments is so hard.  


Brighton and his cousins both got the new Xbox Kinect for Christmas.  We spent most of the afternoon playing video games.  If you aren't familiar with the game, your body is the controller.  You jump and move and your avatar does what you do.  Super fun, quite a workout!  Even the adults (grandma and grandpa included) got in on the action.  Another pagemaps sketch.  Lots of Fancy Pants here.  Remember, trying to work through some of the stash to make room for new stuff.  It is an addiction I tell you.

Well, off I go.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs.

Nancy

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Projects

Over the weekend Ainsley and Brighton had our Zone Championship meet for swim.  So, Phil and they were gone most of the weekend.  So, what did I do?  Well, tons of chores....they never seem to end, a bit of computer stuff (Phil just updated my computer) and  some scrapping!  Yeah me!!!!

The first project I wanted to share is one that I have had laying on my desk for quite some time.  You may remember that I made some memo pad holders by Kaiser Kraft last year for Christmas?  Well, they had come in a pack on 3, and I finally got around to making the last one.  I don't know what I am going to do with it as often happens with these projects, but I am really happy with how it turned out.  I used some older Fancy Pants papers, a bit of Tim Holtz Crackle Paint in Tattered Rose and lots of bits of trims and flowers.  I even tossed in a cameo and frame.

Fancy Pants Papers, Prima Flowers, pearls, bling. Maya Road flower (pink rosette), American Crafts frame, Webster's pages trim and cameo, Tim Holtz ink and paint, Jillebean Soup and Jenni Bowlin stick pins

 I also found the time to do a few layouts.
Fancy Pants Papers, Target pink snowflakes, Cricut white snowflakes, Diamond Stickles, Seam Binding dyed with Tattered Angels Starfish, Unkown ball trim, Tim Holtz inks 

This one is based on a pagemaps sketch I had lying around.  I love these photos of Ainsley.  She had so much  fun in the snow.  If only it hadn't been so cold.  Lots of Fancy Pants here too.  I am trying to use up some of the stash to make room for all the new things that will be coming out after CHA!  That is my beautiful niece, Caitlin, with her on the tubing hill.  Such a sweet girl.

And finally....
Bazzil Cardstock, Crate Paper patterned papers, stickers, chipboard, rub ons, Graphic 45 button, American Crafts Thickers alphabet.

Mackenzie on Christmas morning.  (sorry about the photo, need to clean my window, hee hee).  Another pagemaps sketch and lots of yummy Crate paper.   She got the new Nook Color and just loves it!  She is quite the avid reader so it will come in very handy.  We can even download books from our local library!  And, with the new she can browse the internet and play games and such with the Android apps.

Well, Gotta run!  Swim team meeting tonight!

Hugs.

Nancy

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Homeschooling Review

Being that it is the end of the semester, and being that I haven't talked about what is going on in our school for a while, I thought I would catch you up on our homeschooling adventure.

This year as been going pretty smoothly for the girls.  Who would guess that after all these years I might have figured out what I am doing.  lol  Ainsley has adjusted to Saxon math quite well, and although she doesn't know her math facts (I keep trying and trying) she does really well with it even if it does take forever.  She is super smart and having a great time.  We went with a new Science curriculum this year as well.    We are using Joy Hakim's The Story of Science.


There is a series of additional student and teacher guides that help break down the book and offer additional learning opportunities.  We have been using the Newton at the Center series and have enjoyed it.  The only problem for us is that the Newton guides don't equate to quite a years worth of science for us, but the additional two guide sets would be too much.  So, I have been supplementing with Young Scientist Club experiments.  Fun!!!!
Brighton...well...his year has been a bit of a challenge.  Due to his desire to attend a 4 year school we have been trying to work the system to get him the approved courses he needs to apply.  It is really a long story how the whole thing in California works.  But the online school he attended last year was no longer approved for the first semester this year.  So we switched to one that was.  National University Virtual High School.  It was quite a challenge since this school was much more self directed, self paced and...well...self everything.  The communication from his "instructors" was somewhat minimal.  And while for some subjects that was ok, for others it was almost disastrous.   Calculus AP?  Well, the kid is a flippin math genius.  So, no problems there.  He read the book, did the exercises and happily got an A in the class.  Psychology?  Well, that started off being a big ole hot mess!  Neither Phil nor I could figure out what he was supposed to do or how to help him.  Then we found there was an optional text book to go with the class.  

Monday, January 17, 2011

Menu Monday

I have decided to stick to love, hate is too great of burden to bear. MLK. 

Hi everyone!  I hope you are enjoying this lovely day.  The children and my husband are both off today for MLK day!  Such a great holiday,  a day to remember a man whose message of tolerance and love.

Last weeks menu was pretty simple.  We actually had a night we could sit down and eat together as a family.  Goodness that was nice.

Monday we had Gyros.  We had made a leg of lamb over the weekend when my sister and niece were here, and the leftovers were sitting in the fridge screaming for tzatziki sauce and pita bread.  yum!!!!!

Tuesday was the night everyone was home...and you know what the children wanted?  Hamburgers!  Telling when the children's idea of a special, can have anything because I am home to cook, and we can all eat at the same time dinner is hamburgers.  lol  I won't bore you with a photo of a hamburger today.  But they were tasty!  We found some brioche buns at Whole Foods that totally rocked!

Wednesday I made homemade chicken noodle soup.

Thursday was homemade lasagna.  I still don't know why I let the children talk me in to cooking these things that take all day with lots of chopping and many dishes for dinner.  lol  I think I have shared photos of lasagna?

Friday...well, Friday was super easy (I guess to make up for the lasagna, hee hee).  It is crab season here, so cracked crab and caesar salad!  How easy is that?  Phil picked them up at Whole Foods and they were so tasty.
That is obviously not me in the photo and not our crabs.  The five of us couldn't eat nearly that many in one sitting.  hee hee...It is a stock photo I found because, well, they didn't look so pretty once they were cracked and cleaned and in a big bowl.  sigh  But they sure did taste good!  Crab season isn't nearly long enough.

Ok, well, a recipe for this week?  How about Tzatziki sauce?  It is delicious, and somewhat nutritious.  I love to eat it on pita bread for a snack.  This recipe comes from Food Network.  It is a Barefoot Contessa recipe.  I love her stuff.

Tzatziki Sauce


  • 1 pound (1 pint) plain yogurt (whole milk or low fat)
  • 1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled and seeded
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon good olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh dill
  • Pinch freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Place the yogurt in a cheesecloth or paper towel-lined sieve and set it over a bowl. Grate the cucumber and toss it with 1 tablespoon of kosher salt; place it in another sieve, and set it over another bowl. Place both bowls in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours so the yogurt and cucumber can drain.
Transfer the thickened yogurt to a large bowl. Squeeze as much liquid from the cucumber as you can and add the cucumber to the yogurt. Mix in the sour cream, vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dill, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper. You can serve it immediately, but I prefer to allow the tzatziki to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours for the flavors to blend. Serve chilled or at room temperature

I found some time over the weekend to work on quite a few projects.  Be sure to stop back in to check out the craftiness I have been up to.

And don't forget to check out the forums at Catch the Moments Kits and Sassy lil' Sketches.  Catch the Moments Kits has some huge news!  I know you already love CTM because of the low prices and great products. Well, things are about to get better! Starting now, all new kits will be $15.95 and add-ons $5.95! And the best part, they will include the same amount of great product...just a little savings for you!

See you later.....

Hugs.

Nancy





Thursday, January 13, 2011

So....

I started to blog last night, but then we had another Earthquake (3 now in 5 days) and I just wasn't up to it.  Well, really, just wasn't up to many things yesterday.  The dreary, cold weather is getting to me I guess.

Well, I wanted to stop by for a few minutes with a more layouts using some fabulous sketches I have found. The first one is from my good friend, Heather, over at Ideas for Scrapbookers.  She has a digital template as well as the sketch if you are into that type of thing, which I am not....  lol  I just can't get past the love of paper.

I am trying to work my way through some of my older papers to make room for new.  lol  And the colors in the Basic Grey Fruitcake line were great with the tint of these photos.

Basic Grey Fruitcake, Making Memories sheer embellishments and flower, Maya Road trims

And this time I even managed to stick pretty close to her sketch and not junk it up with all kinds of flowers and embellishments.  hee hee

This one I did with the Catch the Moments Love Kit that has been laying on my desk (well, was laying, it is gone now...cry) and a sketch from Ally Scraps.
Catch the Moments Kits - Love Kit, American Crafts...everything!  lol

Ainsley loves opening presents, Christmas is the best in her book!  She can't wait to dig in.  hee hee  And she was thrilled with all the pink Barbie goodies.  shhh, don't tell, she still loves Barbie!    Probably should have gone with something more pink...but I love these papers.

Lots of fun cool things going on over at the Catch the Moments forums!  Sneaks, sales, chatting, fun! maybe even a challenge or two!

Well, gotta run!  Tomorrow is the end of the semester for Brighton's online classes and this weekend is our huge Zones swim meet (1800 swimmers).  We are busy, busy, busy!

Hugs

Nancy

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

They just keep on coming....

It seems that I am getting back into the swing of things and that means more projects to share with you!  Horray!!!!

Today I have two fun layouts.  The first is using the color palette from last weeks Color Combos Galore and a Sketchablitlies sketch.
Websters Pages Patterned Papers, Rose Ribbon, Prima Roses, Imaginisce acrylic snowflakes, Bazzil cardstock

I love these Webster's Pages papers.  The purple and teal are just so pretty together. This is my Mother-in-laws Christmas tree. So pretty, all done in red and white.

And another tree...This one ours in the family room (did I ever tell you we had 4 trees this year?).  The children decorate it using balls and ornaments they have made over the years.  I would have added ribbon, but they just weren't interested.  lol

Basic Grey patterned paper, Websters Pages lace, American Crafts trim (red) and Thickers, Imaginisce Snowflake, Distress Ink, Glimmer Mist

I used some older Basic Grey, Figgy Pudding, papers and a sketch from Sketchy Thursdays.  I used a bit of Glimmer Mist and Distress Ink on the journaling strips to make them sparkle like the foil Thickers.  They look much more shiny in person.

Well, hope things are back to normal where you are.

Hugs.

Nancy

Monday, January 10, 2011

Menu Monday

Well, being that we are back to our normal schedules, we are back to eating in shifts and trying to keep everyone happy.  I think we managed to do that fairly well this last week.  So, here I am with our recap for Menu Monday.....

Monday - Chicken Picatta - I was able to cheat a little since Phil had the day off and was able to cook fresh while I drove.


Tuesday - Homemade Pizza.  This was a bit of a challenge since everyone wanted different styles of pizza.  We had one thin crust, one Chicago Style, and one...well, it was supposed to be stuffed crust.  But that didn't work so well.  lol


Wednesday - Pot Roast.  Oh goodness.  The sauce is so good I could eat just that.  hee hee

Thursday - Hot Dogs.  I am not a fan of hot dogs.  Really, I don't care for them much at all.  But when Phil came home from his scout meeting and informed me that we were having 14 scouts over for the PLC (planning meeting) it was the only affordable (for that many teenage boys) meal I could think of.  lol  I will spare you a photo.  hee hee

Friday - Chili.  Always a favorite here.

And finally, just because I love you, and I had that photo yesterday of the not Christmas cookies we made...here is one of the sugar cookies.

Ok, well, since this pizza dough was so versatile and easy...How about if I share.

Basic Pizza Dough
1 package active yeast
2 tsp. sugar
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup lard or shortening (I found some non-hydrogenated shortening at Whole Foods)
2 tsp salt
Olive oil

In an electric mixing bowl, whisk the yeast, sugar, water and lard together to make a pste.  Add the flour and salt and mix using a dough hook, until the dough comes away from the sides and crawls up the dough hook.  Remove the dough from the bowl.Grease the bowl with olive oil and place the dough back in the bowl.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until double in size, about an hour.  Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and divide dough in half.  Roll the dough into balls, cover and let the dough rest for 15-20 minutes.  Shape.
Hope you have a great week!

Hugs.

Nancy

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Back to the Routine

It has been a very long week around here.  After almost a month of vacation, travel and holidays; going back to school, swim, and ballet has been quite the adjustment.  Brighton is rapidly finishing up his semester with finals this next Friday.   Then, the following week he starts with his classes being moved back to Apex Learning.  Long story there, I should share sometime.....

Well, but for now, how about if I share some scrapiness!  While I haven't loved getting back into all the driving, I have enjoyed time playing with my paper!  lol

This one I did using Sassy Lil' Sketches January 7 sketch.  I love Cherie's sketches.  It is also using the fabulous Love kit from Catch the Moments kits!

American Crafts Papers, Thickers, Trim (pink), Jouranling Sticker, Martha Stewart Doily Punch, Seam Binding, Stickles, Cricut
I made the cute little bird banner using my Cricut and the Give a Hoot cartridge.  Since we were travelling most of December, or so it seems, we ended up making cookies over New Years.  hee hee

Here are my two gorgeous girls.  Again, I used the Love kit from Catch the Moments Kits.  The colors, the flowers, the buttons, the trims....oh my!
American Crafts Papers, Thickers, Flowers, Buttons, trim, Sassafrass Flower, Cricut, Fancy Pants stamp.

And of course, broke out the Cricut yet again to cut the tree from the Cindy Loo cartridge.  Not sure I love the green in the tree, but I couldn't bear to cut a teal/turquoise tree.  lol  Oh, well, I tried.  hee hee

Well, that is all I have time for today.  My sister and niece are here to play.

Hugs,

Nancy

Friday, January 7, 2011

Oh So Much

Yep, you can tell the holidays are over because there is just so much going on right now....

Where to begin...

Let's start with the new Prima Picks for January!  Gorgeous!!!!  If you have been here before, you know exactly how much I love flowers...and these new colors are fabulous!  Eeek, I can't wait to get my hands on some of these new products!  Be sure and sneak over to the Prima blog to see what the incredible design team did with this.

There is a new sketch over at Sassy Lil' Sketches today.  Loves!!!!  I think I see that sketch in my very near future.


Oh, and how about a sale????  Remember that Festive Kit I shared some projects from yesterday?  Well, the kit is even more on sale!  There are 5 kits on sale right now!  Hop over to Catch the Moments Kits for all the fabulous deals on kits this weekend.

And finally, I was reminded of this today on the Pioneer Woman blog.

Free Rice!  A fun vocabulary quiz that helps add hunger.  As soon as I donate a bit of rice, I think I may have Ainsley play for a while.  I am sure she would love a vocabulary quiz as part of her school work today.

Well, I guess I should do something more constructive today than read blogs.

Hugs.

Nancy

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Festive Kit from Catch the Moments

Today I have a blog post up over at Catch the Moments Kits and I wanted to share the layouts with you.


Right now, in the Etsy store, the Festive kit is on sale for only $14.50.  And, if you become a fan of Catch the Moments Kits on Facebook or join us over in the new forums, you can get a code to save even more!

The papers in the Festive Kit are such beautiful colors and just because this kit came from a holiday line, it doesn't mean it has to be used that way.  The greens, reds and yellows are perfect for outside shots.  For this first layout I used a few of the sheets (front and back sides...don't you love double sided paper) and a bit of seam binding from my stash with an old chipboard ornament.  The colors were great for these outside shots.  I also used some Thickers from an older kit.  The seam binding of course was dyed with some glimmer mist.



 I had this photo of my oldest daughter from the same day and the colors blended so perfectly with her sweater, so you know I just had to use them.  I made the die cut paper with the Cindy Loo cartridge and my Cricut.  Lots of inking in this one, Distress Inks in Fired Brick.  You know how much I love flowers, so all the Primas had to come out to play, I even through in some ancient Prima bling.  lol  I love the coordinating buttons, they tied in so well with the floral cluster.  

I think I am starting to feel like I am catching up.  I have a few more projects to share soon.

Hugs.

Nancy

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Dear Sad, Neglected Blog

I am sorry to have abandoned you so these last few weeks.  But with the holidays, illness, travel, and my new addiction to Cityville on Facebook, there just aren't enough hours in the day.  I do have some fun new projects to share, but not until reveal day over at Catch The Moments Kits tomorrow.

Speaking of Catch the Moments Kits....


If you enjoy chatting with and getting to know other paper crafters you should check out the brand new Catch the Moments forums right here. There will be challenges and all kinds of fun. Plus, if you register for the forum by Friday you get a special coupon code for the Catch the Moments Etsy shop.

Also, if you become a fan of Catch the Moments by this Friday on Facebook you also get a coupon code for the shop.There’s a brand new kit from Catch the Moments called Sugar. This kit is full of yummy Pink Paislee Sweetness!

There’s also going to be a deal of the weekend every Friday at Catch the Moments. I know you’re going to like it! Be sure to check out the CTM blog this Friday for the weekend sale news. Better yet, add CTM to your blog reader or sign up for email updates so you never miss a thing!  There are some fabulous guest designers stopping by in the next few months!

But wait….there’s more! There’s a promotion going on all year at Catch the Moments. It’s the new customer loyalty program. For every $150 you spend at Catch the Moments in 2011 you will receive a discount code for the shop. If you refer a friend and your friend makes a purchase, you receive a discount code too!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year

Stopping in quickly to wish you all a happy New Year.  Things here have been super crazy with the children being sick ever since we got home from the in-laws and Christmas.  sigh


On the bright side, I have some exciting news!  I am going to be continuing on with Sassy Lil' Sketches for the February - July team!  You can find me on the 28th of each month at the Sassy Lil' Sketches blog and chat with me at the new forums!

I hope to be back soon with some projects and photos to share.  Life has just gotten out of hand with travelling 2 of the last 3 weeks and illness.

Hugs.

Nancy