Come Hop Along!!







Yeah...I learned a new technique! Making this stamp was so much fun. I had to do it twice cause I had a hard time getting the measurements right. Thanks to Ashley for hosting this Triple Stamping Hop!

I used some acrylic cupcake stamps and a Happy Birthday sentiment to make this birthday card to take to a dear friend of mine.

Here is my card...


After cutting the white cardstock and assembling them to get ready for the next step I then sprayed the card with some Worn Lipstick Distress Reinker to get the pink effect.  Then, I stamped the sentiment in the middle and put both of the cupcake stamps on the block at the same time and stamped them around the perimeter of the sentiment. Next, I deconstructed the white pieces and mounted them on some black cardstock. As you can tell in the picture I still need to perfect getting the measurements precise so that all sides are equal. Lastly, I tied some pink/white twine around the top layer before I adhered it to the middle layer. I will definitely be using this technique some more so look for another card to be posted soon.

Our wonderful hostess Ashley has some blog candy so be sure to follow all the requirements to be eligible for her great offerings.

If you came here from Rebecca's blog you are on the right track.  And head on over to Pam's blog next. If you are just joining 

us Welcome! Don't forget to start back at the beginning (HERE) so you don't miss out 

on any of these amazing cards.

Oh and by the way...

                                           




  

Here is the full lineup in case you need it! Have fun hopping!

Ashley - http://thebloghopprincess.blogspot.com
Jamie - http://jamiek711designs.blogspot.com/
Rebecca- http://blog.scrapprincess.com/
Teresa- http://freshandrenewed.blogspot.com/
Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/
Kate - http://www.scrapperscreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Tonya M - http://ittybittyladybugs.blogspot.com
Suzanne - http://www.zannieberry.blogspot.com
Janea - http://www.recollectionalley.blogspot.com/
Ashley W - http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com
Michele - http://michelescraftroom.blogspot.com/


No Monday Menu today!


No Monday Menu post today. I am going out of town for a few days. I will post what is left of the week when I get home. Have a Happy Sweet Monday!



UnBOOlievable Blog Hop



I am so very excited to be in this blog hop! There are some wonderful crafters here! I was so excited to create this for my front door. I had something else all planned out for the last month and the other day when I went in my scrap room to get creating all of a sudden this idea hit me. A non-traditional wreath for the door. So enjoy!

There will be a grand prize give away over at Lisa's Blog. If you would like to be eligible for a little Halloween embellishment package from me all you have to do is leave some love and become a follower. Oh, and don't forget to leave me a way to get hold of you. I will post a winner next Thursday 11/1.

Step 1: Get some kind of sign to use as your base. I got this at a discount department store some time ago on the clearance rack for hardly nothing.


 Step 2: Cut your piece of paper to fit. Ink the edges for more dimension. I used my favorite Chestnut Roan. I used a 12x24 sheet of Bazzill paper and cut to fit over top of the scenery on the sign.


Step 3: Add another layer of paper. for added dimension. I did not have a paper long enough without having to piece it together so I used a strip of a Halloween print paper to cover the seam.


Step 4: I cut the phrase "Happy Halloween" from the Cricut cartridge Lyrical Letters. I cut it as large as it would go to fit on a 12x12 mat. This cartridge does not have a shadow and I wanted it double layered so I cut it twice. Once in black and once in glitter green.


Step: 5: The shift key of the Halloween phrase is this dangling spider so I cut him at a little over 4". I added some black stickles to him for some sparkle.


Step 6: Add any Halloween images. I pulled these out of my cut images stash. I thought they were perfect for this little sign. Sorry, I do not know what cartridge or the size.

Here is the lineup for you to hop through. If you came here first don't forget to go back and start at Lisa's Blog.

1. Lisa ~ http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/  Our wonderful hostess. You should start here.

2. Dena ~ http://missdjones.blogspot.com/ 


Baking 101

Last week on our baking day we got busy and made two different pumpkin desserts. We decided that our baking days needed to just be about being together. I made this pumpkin streusel coffee cake for my hubby to take to work with him. They loved it!!! Amanda made pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting. We had a grand day together.

Click on each picture to go to the recipe link.

Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake


Pumpkin Bars
*this is before we put the cream cheese frosting on 



Monday Menus 10/22-10/28



Well, another week has dawned and it is a glorious Monday here in sunny Central Florida! I am off on the right foot for this week. Hope it stays that way!! I hope you enjoy my weekly menus. 









Monday
Meatloaf 
*Roasted Potatoes
Boiled Cabbage
Yeast Rolls
*Chocolate Cherry Shortcake


Tuesday
Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Steak
Fried Okra
Noodles
*Layered Spinach Salad

Wednesday
*Shepherd's Pie
Crescent Rolls

Thursday
*Ham and Macaroni and Cheese Casserole
Peas
*Pumpkin Angel Food Cake with Ginger Cream Icing

Friday
Hubby has to be on his own....I am away with my son watching my grandson swim in the district swim meet!!

Saturday
*Chicken Tamale Pie 
*Mozzarella Cheese Sticks w/ Marinara Sauce
*Autumn Chopped Salad

Sunday
*Crock Pot BarBQue Chicken
*Vegetable Casserole
*Parmesan Potatoes
Rolls
some kind of apple dessert...still looking


Happy Birthday to my Baby Girl!

I have the most honored privilege of being this young lady's mama!



30 years ago today I gave birth to this wonderful person. She is every mother's dream. She is a fabulous daughter, the best mother to her children, a very amazing wife to her hubby. She loves life and I am just so very thankful that God blessed me with being her mommy!! One thing I am so very thankful for is that God has blessed me with being able to stay home right now and that equals being able to spend more time with her!

SO,

this is for you my sweet baby girl!!!! I love you so much!

And this says it all!!!



Baking 101

Well our baking bread is going so so. We discovered after talking to each other that the bread eating is kind of one-sided. So for most of this morning we had a planning session instead of baking. Wish I had thought to take pictures of us planning. We made quite a long list both baking and crafting projects. We decided it was more than baking bread,  it was all about spending the time together. So, that is one of the reasons the title change and another reason well just because. This week's post is all about pumpkin bread and AmishWhite bread. And for the life of me I cannot find those pictures...so I will leave you with a link and the recipes used.

*neither of these are my pictures...mine are hopelessly lost where ever I saved them!



Monday Menus 10/15-10/21


UPDATE: Recipes and links are listed below. Although I did not get back on track with things last week...this is a new week 10/22 and it is headed to be a great one!!! Loving my life!

I am so hoping that this week gets back on track. Last week was such a busy week. My regular chores did not get done, my blog posts did not get put up. I am so a creature that craves structure. However, I did have a wonderful week though with my family. Taking care of one precious little 3 year old, and 3 different sporting events keep this grandma busy. But, this is another week and I am determined things will get back to normal around here!!!

Monday
*Beef Stew  this was very tasty
Rice
Corn Bread Muffins
*Pumpkin Angel Food Cake with Ginger Cream Icing  did not make due to time constraints

Tuesday
Fried Chicken
Potato Salad
Broccoli w/ Cheese sauce
Rolls

Wednesday
Chef's Salad

Thursday
Steak Fingers  we ate out after the swim meet
Noodle Dish
Salad
Rolls

Friday
Meatloaf  I fixed hubby some burgers...I had a late lunch at Olive Garden to celebrate my daughter's      birthday and was stuffed 
*Roasted Potatoes
Boiled Cabbage
Yeast Rolls

Saturday
*Chicken Tamale Pie   time was short due to running errands in the morning so I picked up Fried Chicken...we had to be at an away football game at 5pm
*Mozzarella Cheese Sticks w/ Marinara Sauce
*Layered Spinach Salad

Sunday: Birthday Celebration (my contributions)
Smoked London Broil
*Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes  *note: I did not add the espresso granules and it was just fine

A Personal Update

I have been trying really hard lately on some self-improvements. One thing I did recently while in Oregon was push myself to do a hike to see some beautiful waterfalls. It was a 2.6 mile hike but with lots of patience from my daughter and Janie, and many stops along the way I can say I finished!!! Another thing I have done recently is to completely take over all of the household chores that my hubby used to do; his laundry, taking out the trash, putting the trash to the curb on trash day, taking care of watering plants and weeding flowerbeds, and keeping the kitchen clean at all times. 
It was a beautiful day in Oregon. I am so thankful I got to visit,
but especially be and visit with my daughter.





my daughter, Holly

So, there is still lots of room for some improvement though. There are several things I need to work on and it would be so ever wonderful if I could count on you, along with my family for some encouragement. I hope to make a personal post once a month to let you guys know what is going on in my quest to become a better organized SAHW. So these are the things I plan to work on this week.

  1. Staying on track with my cleaning routine. 
  2. Walking each day. (I only walked once last week!)
  3. Getting my craftroom cleaned and posting a video of it. (I have wanted to do this for so long!)
  4. Staying on top of my regular blog posts.

Should you be interested my regularly scheduled blog posts are:
  • Monday Menus
  • Baking 101
  • Thursday's Thrifty Tips
I need to start a regular crafty blog post as I have 3 that are domestic in nature and none that are on the crafty side. If you have any suggestions as to a title for my crafty post leave me a comment and let me know.


Crafting Night with my Precious Granddaughter

I did a little crafting tonight with my granddaughter. She chose a project to do off my fall decor Pinterest board and I made this fall banner I have been wanting to make for a while. Was very excited to spend the evening with a special little person in my life and do things that make her happy.
Hannah and her Pinterest project.


A fall banner

Edited to add: I am linking this up over at My Cricut Craft Room. If you are a hard core crafter she is a great blog to follow AND has awesome prizes all the time!!

Monday Menu: A day late! 10/8-10/14

I am back!!! Well a day late...I was still recovering yesterday from West Coast time. And, on top of having to do all my Monday chores...that is a heavy day for me....I had to grocery shop...which I do not normally do on Monday. So, I am back ready to get into my routines. I will have an Oregon post with lots of pictures later this week.







Tuesday
*Shrimp Scampi
*Cole Slaw
Yeast Rolls

Wednesday
BLT Sandwiches
French Fries

Thursday
Chili Slaw Dogs (a good 'ole Southern classic)
Home Fries

Friday
*Crock Pot Beef Stew
Rice
Corn Muffins
*Pumpkin Angel Food Cake

Saturday
Fried Chicken
Potato Salad
Broccoli w/ Cheese sauce

Sunday
Oven Baked Pork Chops
Macaroni and Cheese
Corn
*Biscuits  (this is the week's bread making adventure)