We LOVE Unity!!! Even more 9 years later!!

We LOVE Unity!!!  Even more 9 years later!!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Candy Cane Hot Cocoa!




YUMMY!!! I'll bet this is going to taste good! I'll let you know when Morgan gets home from school! :-) I made these last night and it sort of pushed me into a Christmas mood. My baby is really sick with double ear infections and we are all a bit grumpy from lack of sleep LOL


The mug card is from Creative Cuts and More and so much fun to work with! I have a coffee stamp set that I can't wait to use next! I just need to find some little packs of coffee to slip inside. I don't care for instant so I don't want to use that!


The embossing powder is Metallic Red from Stampendous. The stamps are Inkadinkado and Stampendous. The larger gems are some random ones from my stash and the tiny rhinestones are also from Creative Cuts and More! The ribbon I picked up at Michael's.


Thanks for looking! I hope you and yours are healthy!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

I FINALLY broke out my Janome after 2 years!

That's right! No tears were shed and nothing was thrown. I did stomp a bit but that's it LOL


I wanted to use this sketch, here is my spin on it.

I keep getting an error image on my Adobe so I can't crop these pics. Sorry about the messy background. But I SEWED!! After 2 years of watching everyone else sew I SEWED!!! I think I'll do it again too LOL
Thanks for looking!
N.



Thursday, November 26, 2009

Another Tri-Fold Shutter Card




We got to go have drinks with some of our oldest friend's on Sunday. It was so much fun we all had such a great time! Then they paid the tab! So I decided they deserved a card and I thought I would try it again. This one I really like. The writing hidden on the inside looks much better. I still had to write tiny and well anyone who knows me knows my handwriting is far from tiny LOL


Thanks for looking!


N.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

A My Mind's Eye sketch



I am usually always a day late and a dollar short. It's just how I roll. LOL


My Minds Eye is my all time favorite company. They have never made anything I don't absolutely LOVE! Yesterday I was trying to get their I'm a fan button, because after all I am pretty sure I am their number one fan and I found this sketch. So I just had to make it while I was scrapping Monday night!
Thanks for looking!
N.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Scrapals Challenge #2 was a sketch.


I love scrapping with a sketch. You don't have to think about anything. You just slap it all together and in no time you have another layout for your album! I personally think scrapping my peeps is never hard LOL My layout can be very ugly but the pictures make it great :-)

Thanks for looking!

N.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Tri-Fold Shutter Card for Scrapals Challenge

I have seen these cards a lot of times. Every time I say "They must be crazy I am not attempting that!" LOL Then Tee decides that the Scrapals need to get back to scrappin' and demands we all join the fun! I love her so I jump in with both feet and can't wait for the fun to begin. What is her first challenge? The dreaded Tri-Fold Shutter Card!

Well I have to admit, it was not THAT bad! LOL I might even make another one when I have 5 hours for one card! JUST KIDDING!! I made it for my FANTASTIC neighbors who fixed my heat when it when out during our last snow storm. I do wish it had more room for writing LOL I don't like that the writing does show but I'll fix that when I make my second one. :-)






Thanks for looking :-)
N.




Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Holiday Treats Apron Recipe Kit

Another Blog Hop! I am excited! I had so much fun on the Treasured Family Recipes Kit I really can't wait to see what The Holiday Treats Apron Recipe Kit Blog Hop brings!
So, hopefully you arrived here from Laura Davis' Blog . If you didn't, you might want to start from the top of the blog hop so you don't miss anything! Creative Cuts & More is so generous with supplies I have a ton of leftovers!

These darling apron pockets would be PERFECT for a cookie exchange! I am far too selfish to give mine away so I made an album for my coffee table. Some might want to give theirs away as a gift even!

Only the solid red silk ribbon is included in the kit!





These stamps are from Inkadinkado and not included in the kit.








These stamps are from TPC Studio and not included in the kit.












These stamps are from Stampendous and are not included in the kit.






These stamps are from The Paper Studio and are not included in the kit. The fantasticbling is not included in the kit but I did buy it from CC&M and it has the GREATEST tool I have ever used included in the Rhinestone & Pearl Bling Kit.







Pumpkin Cream Pie is our all time FAVORITE! You MUST try it! I don't eat pumpkin pie. This I will have for breakfast the day after Christmas! It's THAT good!









The buttons are from my stash and the stamp is from Stampendous and are not included in the kit.










These are an EK Success Jolee's Boutique sticker, they are not included in the kit.







These are from the same EK Success sticker.




















I am sorry you can't read this recipe. I just wanted you to see the cute pot holder that is included in the kit. There are 3 of them! So cute!
OK, thanks for visiting my blog! It is now time to hop on over to Holly Brown's blog and see fantastic aprons she created!!
Don't forget!! As part of the celebration CC&M will be having a great sale. For the next six days, we will offer 20% off the entire store. But act quickly, it is only for six days – this sale will end on Nov 14th. Make sure you enter this code recipebloghop2009 during checkout.
As a continuing part of the celebration CC&M will of course give away great gifts. Each day we will give away one kit. Here is the twist – go through the blog hop, leave wonderful comments for the great designers. After you have finished the blog hop, return to http://www.diecutdiva.com/ and instead of leaving a comment, you need to share a recipe to have a chance at winning the kit. Share the recipe on your blog and link it back and get another chance to win the kit.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Creative Cuts & More Our Favorite Recipes Blog Hop is FINALLY here!!

I am so excited to share my pages with everyone! Hopefully you landed here from Eva's Blog. If you didn't you might want to go to the start of the blog hop so you don't miss anything! These pages came from a fantastic new kit from Creative Cuts & More! The Treasured Family Recipes Kit is AWESOME! It would make a fantastic Christmas gift! Here is how I put mine together.














Here is the full list of the blog hop! Be sure to check them all out! As a continuing part of the celebration CC&M will of course give away great gifts. Each day we will give away one kit. Here is the twist – go through the blog hop, leave wonderful comments for the great designers. After you have finished the blog hop, return to http://www.diecutdiva.com/ and instead of leaving a comment, you need to share a recipe to have a chance at winning the kit. Share the recipe on your blog and link it back and get another chance to win the kit. As part of the celebration CC&M will be having a great sale. For the next six days, we will offer 20% off the entire store. But act quickly, it is only for six days – this sale will end on Nov 14th. Make sure you enter this code recipebloghop2009 during checkout.



Die Cut Diva http://www.diecutdiva.com
Jen Johnson http://justmejenifer.blogspot.com
Lori Renn http://www.lorirenn.blogspot.com/
Michele Kovack http://chelemom.blogspot.com/
Ellen Sosnoski http://closeyourears.blogspot.com/
Kayla Dupont http://dream-bielieve-imagine-mustangkayla.blogspot.com/
Courtney Holgate http://www.courtneylikestocook.com
Sharon Harnist htto://www.paperfections.typepad.com
Eva Dobilas http://evafromca.blogspot.com
Noelle Reese http://www.noellescrapsalot.blogspot.com YOU ARE HERE
Joan Ervin http://stampingwithapassion.blogspot.com/ GO HERE NEXT
Suzanne Blickenstaff http://www.oscrappyday.blogspot.com
Angie Pearl http://gemstonecreations.blogspot.com
Cathy Tidwell http://www.catdidit.blogspot.com
Holly Simoni http://www.hollysimoni.typepad.com/
Lila Holgate http://lilascreativecorner.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com
Kendra Wietstock http://www.kendrawietstock.blogspot.com/
Chris Penaflor http://creativejourney.typepad.com/
Holly Brown http://www.glitterstampsandink.blogspot.com
AJ Otto http://www.thewillowgarden.blogspot.com/
Stephany Zerbe http://stephzerbedesign.blogspot.com/
Lisa Somerville http://www.lisasomerville.com/
Chris Dickinson http://www.chrissyd723.blogspot.com/
Stacy Cohen http://www.stacycohen.blogspot.com
Pam Smerker http://paperaskew.blogspot.com/
Die Cut Diva http://www.diecutdiva.com/


The things included in the kit are: The fantastic Cosmo Cricket Early Bird collection of patterned paper and chipboard, some die cuts, words, matching cardstock, a Black 8 x 8 album and the rings to keep it together! Such a great deal!

The things that are NOT included in the kit are: all the ribbon, that is just from my stash. The HOMEMADE by stamp on the cover is from Shabby Green Door. The black brads by our names are from my stash. The chef's hat on the lasagna page is a Quickutz die. All ink is Chestnut Roan by Colorbox. The SUNDAY on the Sunday Dishes page is cut with my Cricut.

Please scroll down to yesterday's post to see all the recipes if you would like to print any of them.
Thanks so much for reading! Come back tomorrow for the Holiday Treats Apron Recipe Kit Blog Hop!

N.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sneak Peak of the 8 x 8 Treasured Family Recipe Kit


You are not going to want to miss out on this! There are 24 designers all making this fantastic album from Creative Cuts & More!

I can't wait to see what everyone has done with theirs!

Here are all the recipes I used in case you would like to print any of them and try them for yourself!

Heather J’s Chicken Wraps 1# Ground Chicken Breast, or Ground Chicken or Ground Turkey2T Chinese 5 Spice [We leave this out]Ginger - The knobby brown things are the cheapest way to go, but a pain to peel and grate. You can buy grated fresh ginger in a tube by the fresh herbs or in a jar. Garlic - same thing as the ginger-fresh or jar1 thing of Mushrooms shitake or regular. Fresh Parsley, Cilantro, Mint - just parsley is fine or combo of whatever you have on hand. Chop this up so you have a good handful. [We use all 3 and LOTS of Cilantro}1 little jar of water chestnuts...get the slivered ones if you can. Otherwise you just have to cut them.Butter Lettuce or Iceberg LettuceHosin SauceSoy SauceBrown the chicken/turkey with the 2T of 5 Spice and pepper. If you are using breast meat, add a little olive oil to the pan. Remove from pan...don't overcook!! Add the ginger and garlic to the pan. I use about 3-4 T of the ginger or a couple of big dollops. About 1 T of garlic total. Cook for just a minute. Add the mushrooms and cook those for two minutes, or until they are cooked through. Add the chicken back in and sprinkle with 2 T of soy sauce and toss in the water chestnuts and whatever fresh herbs you used. Add more soy sauce or ginger to taste. You can use the hosin as a sauce on top of the wrap, or mix it in. [we mix it in]

Lasagna

While you boil a box of noodles, brown a pound of ground beef and a pound of Italian sausage. Drain the grease and add in any spices that you like. We use Italian seasoning, Garlic powder, oregano and some onion powder. Be generous with your spices and add a jar of your favorite pasta sauce. Let simmer for 30 minutes. Soak your noodles in cold water so you don’t burn your fingers.

In a 9 x 13 pan, put some meat sauce on the bottom to avoid the noodles sticking, then noodles, then more meat sauce, then half of a large container of small curd cottage cheese. Repeat that layer. The last layer the cottage cheese is replaced with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 until cheese is bubbly, about 30 minutes. Serve with garlic bread and salad. It’s even better the next day!

Chicken Salad

In the morning put several chicken breasts in a gallon size zip-lock bag and coat with any brand of Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing.

Pound the breasts to be thinner and put on the George Foreman Grill. Over cook it just a little so it has some crunch.

Serve over salad and add any extras your family likes. We use cheese, green olives, carrots, avocado and corn.

Chili Con Queso

Turn your crock pot on low. Put all of these ingredients in it in no particular order:
Large box of Velveeta
A can of hot Rotel
A can of hot diced jalapenos
A can of hot diced green chilis
A can of Nacho Cheese soup
A can of refried beans
2 pounds of browned ground beef seasoned with garlic and red pepper flakes
Stir it often, everything should be melted and ready in about an hour, we always simmer it for 2-3 hours.
Serve with tortillas or chips. At a party once someone told me it would be awesome on a baked potato!

Biscuits and Gravy

Brown a pound of breakfast sausage and remove it from the pan, we put it in a paper towel lined bowl. Add some flour to the grease in the pan, about 3T. NEVER stop stirring. Add milk slowly while stirring. We like ours pretty thick but when you add the sausage back in, it gets thicker so make it a little thinner than you want it. We add a lot of pepper. Serve it over your favorite biscuits. We like the big flaky kind.
You can also serve with eggs if you are really hungry!

Breakfast Burritos

Scramble some eggs in one pan and fry up your favorite breakfast meat in another pan., we like bacon or sausage. Stir the cooked meat and some cheese into the eggs. Heat up tortillas and fill with egg mixture. Top with your favorite salsa!
YUMMY!!

Potato Pancakes

We only get these the day after Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas so they are an extra special breakfast to us! Reach a clean hand into the leftover bowl of mashed potatoes and grab a handful! Shape it into a pancake shape and throw it in a pan. Brown it on both sides on low heat so it heats all the way through. Top with a fried egg and a sprinkle of grated cheese.
BEST BREAKFAST EVER!!

Banana Nut Muffins

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 egg whites
1 cup mashed bananas
¾ cup white sugar
3 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest
¼ cup shopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl mix together the ingredients. Fill the muffin pan 2/3 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares

1 cup butter
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 cups peanut butter
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs [I buy them whole and put them in a zip lock and smash them up with my meat tenderizer.]
½ cup butter
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Melt 1 cup butter over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter and graham cracker crumbs. Spread mixture into jelly roll pan. Pat down evenly with the back of a spoon.
To make topping: Melt together ½ cup butter with 1 cup chocolate chips. Spread this mixture over peanut butter mixture. Refrigerate ½ hour. Cut into squares.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
¾ cup melted butter
1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix everything together and drop onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.

Apple Dip

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
½ cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

Mix everything together. If it’s too runny add more brown sugar. If it’s too thick add a little more vanilla. Serve with sliced red, yellow and green apples.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1 ¼ cups flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup peanut butter
½ stick softened butter
½ cup light brown sugar
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup milk
Melted chocolate
Mix everything up and spoon into liners. Bake about 12 to 18 minutes. When they are cool enough to hold dunk the top into the melted chocolate and twist as you lift it up to make a fun little ‘curl’.


Pudding Chocolate Chunk Cookies

1 cup margarine softened
¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Instant Pudding & Pie Filling, any flavor
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 ¼ cups flour1 tsp. baking soda
1 pkg. (12 oz.) Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix everything together and then stir in chocolate chunks. (Dough will be stiff.) Drop teaspoonfuls of dough, 2 inches apart, onto greased baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheets. Cool completely on wire racks.

Pudding In A Cloud

1 tub of Cool Whip
2 small boxes of your favorite flavor of instant pudding.

Layer the pudding in a pretty glass with the cool whip. Start with the pudding and end with a dollop of the Cool Whip.
Adults and children love these!

Thanks for reading!
N.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

I'm not giving up on this blog!

Then, my married name and all the nicknames I have had over the years.


This is challenge # 3. What is in a Name?
My birth name:


So I have figured out I need to post my pictures backwards. This confuses me but maybe if I do this they will be in the order they should be. :-)

I'm going to try to link AGAIN. Without using the stupid button. I am just going to type it in. http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=5360601&mpage=1

If you made it this far, thanks for reading LOL

N.

Friday, November 6, 2009

All About Me!





OK, I am trying this again. Over on the Cricut board, I joined this challenge:


Here are the pages I have done so far. The album is an American Crafts plain chipboard, I am using My Mind's Eye [my all time FAVORITE company] Totally Girl paper stack for the entire album.

OK, I hope this works! LOL Thanks for reading!
N.

I am going to try to link one more time.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Who knew I would have ever a blog??



I know nothing about this so it might be sketchy at first! I'll learn though! I started the blog because I was asked to be on a design team! Can you believe it? I'll be posting for TWO different kits and I will participate in a blog hop! How exciting will that be? The team is for Creative Cuts and More.
[Now if that links I may fall out of my chair.]

Here is why I scrap, Morgan is my beautiful 12 year old and Carlee is my adorable 2 year old!

It should be interesting to see how this post looks, so here goes!
Thanks for reading!

N.