Curl it, Twist it, Tie it, Hang it, Drape it...

Ribbon, ribbon, ribbon... I have as much "scrap" ribbon as I do "scrap" paper.  I had it draped and wrapped and tucked anywhere and everywhere, making sure I could see it and not forget I had it to use.  I never liked how I had it "stored" around my studio, so I came up with a different solution.  Using the vintage shutters I had in the corner by my desk, I used Christmas ornament hangers and started organizing...

I placed by color, making sure I could see all types and styles...

This really turned out perfect!!!

What are your nifty organizing ideas and solutions?

Another First

Our lives are full of "firsts".  At the age of 16, receiving your first driver's license or your first day of college or your first day as a married couple and so on.  At the age of 36, I have found another first, my first day having no children at home with me, laying in the fetal position, sucking my thumb.  Obviously, I am not taking it so well, lol!  It was funny, not having them here with me, I went grocery shopping by myself and then to Walmart by myself, and back home to put my purchases away, by myself.  They weren't there picking out which grocery cart to use, they weren't there picking out what fruit they wanted for the week, they weren't there helping put groceries away, asking questions, asking for milk in the favorite sippy cut...  They weren't there...

This was my first 3 hours to myself...  I am not sure when I have had time to myself... Shopping for new clothes was always done with a little one in the dressing room with me, our anniversary dinner has always been celebrated with our children, and I don't think I have used a bathroom without interruption for the last 10 years...To some, maybe most, this new alone time would seem a blessing, but to me, it was not.  I truly missed their voices, even their bickering, lol!  So, of course, I needed to take advantage of this time given, and to my surprise I did get a lot accomplished.  My studio had taken a turn for the worse, this usually happens at least once a month.  With this new found time on my hands, I started organizing without any interruptions, hmmmmmmm...  Then the daydreaming started of what kind of "to-do's" were in my future.  I have to say my list is growing by the minute, Halloween costumes to be made before our upcoming "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party" at Walt Disney World in October, Christmas cards to be made in the next couple of weeks, and the upcoming decorating for fall and Christmas seasons, and so on.  Oh the possibilities!!!

With this change of heart, I opened a box that arrived a week ago, and started observing the contents again...

It was my Webster's Pages purchase through Groupon, so many pretties for just $25, I am exhilarated with this purchase!!!  It brought a much needed smile to my face. 

With these beauties that arrived via snail mail, I have a lot to keep me busy until this school year ends... How many more days until summer vacation????  This Mommy can't wait!!!

Soarin'

As I had stated in the last post, I have been doing more challenges.  Here is a layout I did using the Sketch #132 at The Scrappiest. 

Complete with a cute title and journaling.  Lately I have found that I rather journal on the paper somewhere than to use an actual journal block.  How do you journal on your pages?

i Love My teacher

Last week I decided to enter more challenges, it is a great way to catch up on my scrapping as well as use some awesome sketches designed by some very talented scrappers!  This is the one I chose for Sketch #133 at The Scrappiest. 

Using papers from DCWV, I cut several pieces from different papers and incorporated them all on one page.  It was fun and quick, one of my favorite duos, lol!

Are your little ones back to school?  This is our last day of summer, not looking forward to sending my kiddos to school tomorrow, it will be way too quiet here.

I Do

I love finding new challenges.  Today I discovered a sketch challenge to create a card on Splitcoast Stampers.  Immediately I knew which direction I was going for. I started with a Graphic 45 die cut.  Using my K & Company paper pads to inspire the background of the card, it gave an elegant, vintage look.  Then, stamping a sentiment with Fiskars gave the theme "I Do" to the card.  To dress the theme, I outlined it with a Tim Holtz Visual Artistry stamp and chose a pink color pencil to enhance the ink a little more. The bottom was made by embossing a pink piece of cardstock with my Cuttlebug.  Finally I addded the bling, a Websters Pages netting tied into a bow and a Sparkle set in the middle. 

She turned out beautiful, elegant.  Perfect for a blushing bride!

Are you caught up???

People usually ask me if I am caught up on all my pages.  NO... NEVER.  I take more pictures than pages I create.  Also, I never do anything in chronological order, I find a picture I like or paper I want to use and find a picture to match.  This is what I did today.

I knew I wanted to use my Webster Pages products again, especially since I recently purchased another package from Webster and it should arrive any day.  Eek!  Their collections are amazing and brilliant!  Finding many could be used for a gorgeous vacation page, it was hard to narrow it down. 

Hollywood Vogue it is!  This page presented the exact colors I wanted to work with since I was using a black and white.

Are you a fan of Martha Stewart products?  I am, I awe over all of the punches.  My favorite one was used with the paper I matted the picture with, then punched and placed in opposite corners of the page.

We took a mini-vaca in 2006, yes 2006 (trust me I have a lot more pics prior to 2006 that have not been scrapped yet, lol), rented a cabin at Lake of Three Fires in Bedford, Iowa.  It was Mother's Day weekend and my Mom and brother joined us.  Peaceful, relaxing, no cell phones, no laptops, campfires, fishing, food, drinks, the perfect weekend.  I took every chance to capture this cherished weekend and perfect memories with lots of pics.

This page I used some Fiskars stamping sentiments and rub-ons I had on hand that I found at Archiver's a couple of years ago.  It gave an extra little touch to an already beautiful background.  When I began scrapbooking, I was not particular with the ink I used to stamp with.  I have changed and have become very particular!!!  My main go to ink for such sentiment stamping is VersaFine, onyx black.  It sets instantly, and makes an exact print.

Have you scrapped every precious moment, vacation, birthday, Christmas, etc?  Or are you just like me?  Don't let the task of scrapping every moment add stress to this hobby, keep it fun!

Laying Out

Today I was on a roll, three different layouts this afternoon!  This first one is a vintage inspired page using several Webster Pages elements including the "Good Times" tag and matching chipboard sticker button and twine, as well as the flower I inked to match.

The floral lace came from my good friend, Bryanna, who removed it from a vintage wedding gown.  I have been dying to use it somewhere and it was perfect for this page.

The next layout inspiration came from my circle punch.  This was fun to do.

Initially the page was a boring layout.  I started looking around for items to add and I spotted my Sharpie fine point pen.  DOODLE, of course, adding this technique gave a fun, whimzy look to a boring page.  I wasn't done though, it still needed an extra touch.

Yep, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, I always enjoy an excuse to use these!

Since the circle punch page was a quick one, I couldn't quit.

Simple pages, as these, can give you time to do many identical layouts.  If you are like me, you are working on different scrapbooks for your family at one time, so incorporate the same layouts for each, just change the pics and paper.  Less Stress!!!

Laying out today didn't include the dreaded swimsuit, just a few fun pages!

Oh Snow!

While we have been trying to stay out of the blistering heat, I decided to do a page that brought back memories of our Iowa winters.

I fell in love with the color combo, pinks, blue, whites, and reds.  The pictures were all cropped down to a wallet size, which made them easy to use.  The smaller the picture, the more you can use on your layout to illustrate your special event.

This particular paper had snowflakes already in the background.  However, I did add a few more as well as some bling to the centers of the flakes.  This created a different texture to the pretty backdrop.

Brads were used to give the "O"s within the title some texture.  The title was done with a set of stickers, but there was only one sticker for each letter (with the exception of the "o"s).  This made it a little difficult to come up with a title I was happy with.  All in all, it was a quick and fun layout. 

What are you doing to keep cool and stay out of the heat?  Now is a great time to start thinking of a Christmas card design or even your next Halloween costume! 



That's a SOUPer idea!!!

By now you know that I love all things VINTAGE, and that applies to cooking as well.  I vowed a year ago that our meals would be prepared and not from a box or a can, old school, homemade. 

So, last Friday, I find my daughter going through our kitchen pantry.  I asked her what she was looking for, she said soup.  Obviously bored with our routine summer lunches, I agreed we needed to shake things up.  Cooking inside hadn't taken place since summer began, the grill had become my "go-to" cooktop, easy to use, great taste, no clean up required.

Chicken soup is my usual homemade soup of choice.  Everything is made from scratch, broth, noodles, everything!  I don't even use dried spices, instead I chop fresh.  This started with a whole fryer chicken I picked up on sale.  Meats are usually discounted a day or two before the use by date, this is when I purchase and then freeze immediately.  Buying bulk ground meats can cut costs as well and freezing them in smaller weights for easy use is very helpful.

With the chicken boiling with fresh veggies (turnip, onions, garlic, carrots, celery, whole black peppercorns, bay leaves) to make the broth, I started preparing the egg noodles.  Using flour, eggs, and EVOO, the dough began to shape.  I find that kneading it for AT LEAST 10 minutes with a lot elbow grease, makes a good elastic dough.  Another hint, do not over flour, you want a good dough, easy to work with and can hold up even when being reheated and frozen.  Back in the day, I thought I needed a great amount of flour, but the noodles would turn into little chunks once cooked instead of the long noodle it started as.  After kneading is done, form into a ball, coat with EVOO, wrap with cling wrap, and set aside for at least 30 minutes.  This allows the gluten to relax. 

The pasta machine has become a new friend of mine, especially since I make noodles more often.  The clean up still drives me crazy, but it is a love/ hate relationship, lol!  Starting with a #2 setting, I begin pulling it through, yes, pull and stretch the dough through the rollers.  Three times is my magic number, then it is placed to a #5 or #6 setting.  Once again, pulling and stretching, making a very smooth, elastic sheet.

After all sheets have gone through, take them through the cut of choice, fettuccine, spaghetti, it's your preference.  This time, I went with a very thin fettuccine noodle.  As soon as they have been cut place them in individual bird nests for drying, once again, this is the best way to boil or freeze the noodle.

Finally the broth is made, noodles and chicken are added and time to serve.  Add kosher salt and freshly ground pepper and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.  VIOLA!!!

What extraordinary dishes have you made lately?  Do you have any helpful hints you would like to share?

My DIY Flowers

My new favorite addiction is Pinterest.  I simply can't get enough, and my recent love is the tutorials I have found.  Getting my hands dirty after viewing a few, could not have come soon enough.  This afternoon finally allowed enough time during our very busy summer.

The first one I have conquered are the DIY Flowers.  This was a fun one and very simple!!!  I highly recommend giving this one a try, it took very little time!!!  These are the pretties I came up with.

My favorite ones were the Scalloped Puffs.  When doing these beauties, use quality cardstock like Bazzill, my favorite is their Bling cardstock.  When I lived in Iowa I use to make special trips to Archiver's to purchase Bazzill Bling, they often run a 2 for 1 special on their cardstock. 

How often do you use on-line tutorials?  Where are your favorite go-to's to find them?  YouTube?  Ustream???  Let me know!!!