California Creative Crafter

I Think I'm Ready!

2011-12-22T12:13:00.000-08:00

It seems that Christmas is coming way to fast this year and I actually think I am ready! Just a quick trip to the grocery store and the pet store (gotta keep the poopies happy!) and I think that will do it! I have the menu planned for Christmas Eve dinner (lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and cannoli). I get so burned out with turkey and ham by this time of year, I try to find alternative things to eat! For Christmas morning I will be doing a crockpot breakfast casserole, cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit salad and for the rest of the day just snacking. I have lined up the fresh veggie platter, crackers, cheeseball, summer sausage, a couple of other dips, a fruit platter and lots of homemade goodies. Ohh, and I can't forget the special "egg nog". At Thanksgiving we made the bourbon, pumpkin milk shakes (really good!) and I was thinking of how I could do an egg nog shake along the same lines-haven't figured it out yet and that may have to wait until next year.

I am looking forward to the week between Christmas and New Year's to relax, visit friends, and work on some projects that I have had in mind since I moved in Sept/Oct. As always, my list is three pages long, but I am hoping to complete at least five projects during the week.

I wish everyone a very happy holiday season and the best in the coming new year!

Things Are Progressing and Holiday Pictures of the Boys!

2011-12-13T14:35:00.000-08:00

Packages are mailed, the decorating is almost done, and the Christmas baking only has a little to go-I'm almost ready for the holidays! I have to quit browsing all the special edition holiday magazines as I get more and more decorating ideas, things to look for, and more recipes to try-I need to start this stuff in June to be on top of things!

I finally received some current pictures of the boys at one of their holiday parties, (Jake is in the 92 shirt and Matty in in the green and black striped shirt). It has been over two years since I have seen them-they are getting sooooo big! The day is coming closer when I can fly them from east coast to the west coast, gather their twin cousins, and pile in the van and head to disneyland!

Yesterday, I had to be in a different area with an hour to waste before a meeting and what better way to spend my time then to thrift! I ended up spending about $12.00, this after I said I wouldn't buy anything again after the move! I ended up with a tin santa plate and bowl from Hallmark, with the prices of $10.00 and $5.00 still on them-I paid .50 and .25, a complete set of stampin up Christmas stamps (5) for .99, two bags of vintage bulbs, one .99 and one for .49. a Boyds Bear statue (I collect them) for .99, a set of christmas burner covers for .49, a german glass ornmanet for the main tree for .50, two jingle bears, one small for .75 and the large one for 1.00, two sweaters for 1.00 ea, a Thomas the Train calidiscope for Matty (he loves Thomas the Train) for .50, 4 packs of 20 ea plastic page covers for my notebook of collected recipes for .25 ea, and some genuine silver Fender guitar pick earings for 1.99-I think I did pretty well for just needing to burn a little time! Once I go home I put a fire in the fire place and spent the evening wrapping gifts-I haven't finished but a couple more nights and the task will be complete. (For me this is the part I like the least!)

Slowly checking things off the list while sipping a little egg nogg-hope your days leading up to the holidays are joyous ones!

Even At Work The Decorations are Going Up!

2011-12-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

The bosses had meetings all afternoon yesterday, so a couple of us decided to decorate the bosses office doors. For the main boss, we made his door a reindeer stable, and the second boss is a big Denver Broncos fan, so we had to come up with some sort of theme. I opted for a charlie brown christmas tree meets football meets more specifically the Denver Broncos. The pictures aren't fabulous, but I think you will get the idea-we had a lot of fun, the bosses loved their office doors and we brought a little christmas spirit into the office.

I am still working on sewing projects ad nd hope to have most of them done this weekend, along with the rest of the decorating. This weekend will be my last class of a year long set of classes on my contemporary art journal-we will be attaching the signatures to the covers and putting the finishing touches on the books-of course along with an end of year potluck. (Go figure-we are going to eat again!)

Today, along with the entire week has been cold and windy-I think I am going to make soup and hot biscuits tonight for dinner. I have been using my crock pot off and on, but I have a feeling if this weather continues, it will be a permanent fixture on the counter for the rest of the season!

Fall Is Down, Christmas is Getting Up!

2011-12-01T13:11:00.000-08:00

The last couple of days have felt more like fall than winter here. The winds have whipped up and all the leaves in the world are on my front lawn! But at night, the weather turns cold-yes it's winter! The main tree is up in the living room, and the wreath's are hung over the fireplace and on the front door, and even the Chritmas bakings has started. I still have three more trees to put up, change the quilts, arrange the pointsettas and change out to the winter dishes, but things are comming along nicely. The best part is all my Christmas shopping is done-yipee! I love all the sights, smells, and feel of the holiday season.

Last weekend, the family trudged up to Apple Hill, walked around three Christmas Tree farms before finding the perfect tree-now I know why I have a box tree each year. The girls were getting tired, the tree was on the top of the van and it was off for pizza. It was foggy and overcast in the valley but one we got up into the hills the weather was beautiful0-sunny and a little warmer.

This comming weekend I am out of town but I am taking the sewing machine and projects to do, hopefully I will have pictures to post after the weekend! Have a happy start of the holiday season.

Busy, Busy, Busy This Holiday Season

2011-11-21T09:35:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy since the move I haven't had time to do much of anything. I am still in the midst of unpacking boxes and STILL looking over things to get rid of. I did take some time out to make a day trip to Apple Hill and pick up some of the most wonderful pears! I have cooking with pears every since, lots of pear crisp and I think I may be doing some pear butter or preserves-haven't decided yet.

I am all finished with classes this year except for my contemporary journal ending class next month. So much to catch up on. In the last month or soI have taken a Wizard of Oz Book, a Tim Holtz like book necklace, and yesterday I took a class, the perpetual claendar. The pictures are the class samples as I have not completed my calendar yet, and the Wizard of Oz book I haven't taken pictures yet, when I do I will post the picture.

I have all my Christmas shopping done and am now on to the sewing part. Not a great deal to do, just need to get it done! This Friday while everyone is out shopping, I will be putting up the tree and start baking the Christmas cookies. I have managed to fit in a little junking/thrift store shopping, which I swore I wouldn't do again while I was moving as I had so much junk that I had accumulted that I couldn't imagine wanting or needing anything else! In the end I took five van loads to the thrift store and I am still dejunking. This move has taught me to be very selctive as to what I do buy now, and also to have a really good idea where the "thing" is going so that I don't just buy because "I like it" but ultimately have no place for it. During the move I found thirty five bins of Christmas "stuff", which I will be going through, keeping very little and letting the kids have the pick. Everything else will be going! I also manged to ship the Thanksgiving package off to the grandsons, sooooo one more thing off the list to do! I am keeping myself busy, but more relaxed this year. I decided I would avoid as much of the commercialism of the holidays as possible. For now, the big turkey is defrosting in the frig-waiting to be put on the barbecue on Thursday, all the supplies are ready for the big feast and family will be arriving-truly a wonderful time of year.

The Move Is Almost Complete!

2011-09-29T10:08:00.000-07:00

This is exactly what I should have done! Just picked up the entire house and dumped into the new house! I am now down to the little stuff and boy what a challenge to look over things at the same time as deciding what to move. It is amazing that with all this "stuff", I have started a list of things that I need to replace/or buy to fit into the space of the new place. Since I have lost a room, half of the double car garage is now going to be the craft space-which gives me really a lot more space than I had. My concern is the summer months might be to hot-I am toying with the idea of running the air conditioning duct into that area or walling in a room within the garage to run air conditioning into-great another project!

On a more artistic note-I attended a couple of classes last week, a neighborhood watch wall hanging (as soon as I take pictures I will post them), my art journal class and this week i will be taking a class on a Wizard of Oz Book. Again I will hopefully remember to take pictures and post them! i am also starting to make a list of the Christmas projects I would like to get done. (Did you see I said like-not sure if I can definately get them done with everything else going on!)

With the weather starting to get a little cooler, I have again brought out the crockpot for ease in fixing dinner-how does that line go "just fixit and forget it". I love my crockpot, I can put everything in it in the morning and when I return from work, the meal is ready. I tried this recipe I found on a blog (don't remember which one) a couple of days ago-it turned out great
Crockpot Love - Cheesy Italian Tortellini

Ingredients
1 lb of mild ground italian sausage
1 14oz can of diced tomatoes with italian herbs, undrained
1 15oz jar of marinara
1 9oz pkg of refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
1 cup of shredded mozzerela cheese
1 cup of fresh sliced mushrooms

Directions:1) In a skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until brown, then drain.
2) Spray the inside of your pot with cooking spray. Then mix in the beef mixture, marinara sauce, mushrooms nd tomatoes.

3) Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours.

4) Stir in torellini and sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook on low for an additional 15 minutes.

I really didn't need to add the sausage and if you have a vegetarian in the household just the tortellini will do.

That's about all for now, I have to get back to the one million things still left to do on my list! Have a great day!

Didn't Quite Make It!

2011-09-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

Okay, so my vow to post more often just didn't happen. I guess with the stress of the move, a million and one things to get done, and that nagging thing that always gets in the way called work-I fell down on posting. With this move, I have managed to rethink what is important to me and started dejunking! I have way too much and with all that stuff, I spend my time cleaning and making room instead of enjoying what I have. While I love to go thrift/junk shopping, I am going to really think about purchases and make sure I have a place for things and adopt the rule that if I bring something in, something must go out! I did decide to graduate to a bigger bed and after looking in antique shops for a headboard/footboard and finding the prices were way out of my league, I decided to just check Craigs list. I have not even looked at Craigs list in months! Well there it was, a beautifuly wrought iron whitel headboard and footboard for $25.00! I immediately texted the seller who sent back a message that the bed was spoken for and was suppose to be picked up that evening by 5:00 pm but he would text if it didn't happen. Well-around 5:01 he texted and said it was mine if I wanted it. I made the thirty mile drive each way to pick it up-practically brand new with the tags still on it! Now I just have to buy the mattress! Anyway, I needed to get away from the packing on Sunday so I took a drive up to Sutter Creek to wander through antique stores. In the second one I was in there was a vendor who had a tool box full of metal junk, I dug around and found the front of a postal box complete with dial and little window for $1.00! I will be converting it to a frame once I get moved.

Additionally, I have taken three art classes back to back and have not signed up for as many this quarter due to the move and the holiday schedule. Here are the last couple of classes I took, one was a steampunk dress form made with a wire form and tags and the other was a steampunk bird mounted to an antique camera.

Please forgive the glare of the pictures, the flash caught the watch face on the steampunk dress form and this was the best picture I have. I will be uploading additional pictures as soon as I can get some taken.

Have a great day and I am going to adhere my goal of posting once a week!

A Little Antiquing Today..

2011-08-12T21:03:00.000-07:00

Am patiently working through the office/craft room, cleaning out and getting rid of things that I just have becaue they were a "good deal"-I am passing them on to someone else. I took a break this afternoon and went to the antique mall just to look around-yeah right! After looking through the entire mall I came out with, an antique train case which will be used to carry my art supplies to and from class-I really need to reduce the amount of stuff I drag to class! I also picked up four vintage stamps for my collection, a beautiful glass jar to showcase them in, an old sewing basket to display my small chubby books in, a Boyd's Bear statue to add to my collection, and a two tier french rack (I love this I just don't know where I'm going to put it yet!). I even bought a couple of Halloween things, a runner and small halloween plaque-all in all, a good shopping trip.

I have no art classes this weekend so I can devote most of my energy to finishing up the organization of the office/craft room-still lots to do, but I know I will feel a sense of accomplishment once it is done-

Here is another receipe I tried this week for a silent auction/bake sale we had at work-these are easy peasey and so deliciuous. I know I got this recipe off the internet, but I don't remember which site to give credit to.

Cap'n Crunch Peanut Butter Cookie Stackers

7 tbls softened butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup creamy p-butter (I use chunky)
1 egg
1 tbls pure vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup Cap'n Crunch Cereal, crushed with rolling pin

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until well
combined. Beat in peanut butter until combined then beat in the egg and vanilla.
2. In a large bowl mix the flower and salt. Slowly add to wet ingredients on slow speed. Add in Cap'n Crunch Cereal until just combined. With a medium cookie scoop, scoop dough onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. With the tines of a fork, press gently forming a criss cross shape over tops. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until baked to your liking.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Hope you enjoy this one. I still need to take come pictures of projects, and download all of the pictures onto the computer to upload them here.

I'm Getting Better...

2011-08-09T10:44:00.000-07:00

About my blog, it has only been not quite a month since my last post. I have not reached my inteneded goal of at least once a week, but I guess I have to start with baby steps!

I have been so busy lately. I have taken six classes in the last month and will post pictures once I remember to move them from the camera to the computer. On Sunday, when the cable guy came to switch over my phone service and internet, he needed to get into the off/craft room-yeah right! So I pulled everything off the floor and into the livingroom. I then proceeded to clean out, get rid of trash, get bags ready to donate and also donate to the upcoming silent auction at work. At the end of four hours, I had six bags of trash (why do I keep some of the things I do!), four bags to donate to GW and two bags of stuff for the silent auction. I sometimes wonder why I buy supplies that I have no use for-my only explanation is that they were on SALE! Anyway, I am still working through putting all the stuff away and then I can start on another pile of "stuff" that I pulled out of the room almost a year ago that has been in the garage that long. Which makes me wonder, do I really need these things if I haven't used them in all this time? Anyway, it felt good to finally make some progress. I even thanked the cable guy for motivating me to do a job I had put off for quite a while.

I now can get to the things for my art classes that I want without having to try and figure out what I did with those things-and then just buying more because it is easier.

Anyway, I am now looking forward to working on some projects to get ready for Christmas. Mostly, sewing and the grandkids birthday presents. I think I was totally unmotivated because of the mess I had in the room. I am starting to actually want to craft at home now.

On another note, I have dediced to go back to clogging after an almost ten year absence. I am in need of serious exercise for before and after my surgery and just the work exercise unmotivates me! But, I do like to dance, so, that will be my form of exercise.

Until Later-

WOW! Has it Really Been five Months!

2011-07-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

I am slowly getting caught up on all my projects and getting back into the swing of updating everything in my life. This past month, we have had at least 10 people retiring and it put into a thinking mode about my own retirement. Which led me to, what kind of craft room I would like to have and how I would change the one I presently have. I came accross an idea that was appealing to me-it seems that some ladies are finding old travel trailers, parking them in the backyard and fixing them up and using them as their craft/woman cave sort of places. The more I thought about this, the more I liked the idea. I could have a getaway place and not have to take up an area of the house with my crafting things. Besides, with the space so small, I'm almost certain only one other person and possibly one of the dogs would be all that would fit inside-my escape paradise. I came accross a picture of a person who had just located one of these trailers and is going to start the fix-up soon. As I did some research on this, I found some great ideas for decorating and really making this space my own. I am now in the process of collecting pictures, themes, and ideas to make this a/my reality when the time comes. Here is the pictures of what I am talking about:

I just think this is the cutest!

In addition to thinking about retirement, I have been cleaning out closets and figuring out what to keep and what to donate. My biggest problem is that when I take things to donate to the thrift store and feel a sense of accomplishment, I then make a quick turn around in the store and end of defeating my purpose by buying more "stuff" that I "can't live without" and dragging it home thereby defeating the purpose of the original intention which was to gain more room!

Anyway, I am going to try and be a better blogger, at least once a week. I really enjoy the blog world and having a permanent record of things that I have done or am doing.

Ta-ta for now!!!!

Where Has The Time Gone?

2011-02-15T14:50:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it has been so long since I posted! Life sometimes just get in the way! I have taken a couple of classes and I will be posting the pictures of the finished projects soon! I still have lots of sewing and general artsy projects in the que and hope to be finishing those up also.

Over the weekend I did make some fabulous chicken (vegetarian) burritos, and so easy too! I have included the recipe, all I did was substitue Morningstar Farms chicken planks for the bonless chicken in the recipe. These turned out yummy!

Easy Shredded Chicken and Bean Burritos

Ingredients:
3 Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless (I used a bag of Morningstar chicken planks)
1 Taco Seasoning packet
1 cup Water1 can Rotel
Flour Tortillas

1 can Refried Beans (I used the vegetarian)

Cheese
Jalapenos (optional topping)
Salsa (optional topping)
Sour Cream (optional topping)
Directions:
1. Spray crock pot with cooking spray.
2. Place Chicken Breasts into crock pot (frozen or thawed)
3. Cover with Taco Seasoning, Water, and Rotel.
4. Cook on High for 4-6 hours or Low for 6-8 hours.
5. Take Chicken out and shred

6. Put back into sauce in crock pot.
7. Heat up Refried Beans on stove or microwave, and heat up tortilla's in microwave for a few seconds.
8. Layer tortilla with the following:

layer of beans

big pinch of shredded cheese

shredded chicken (don't be shy!)

a few jalapenos

9. Roll Burrito up, cover with cheese, melt in microwave.
10. We used the fresh japenos, salsa and avacado for these-yummy!

That's all for today, I will be back soon with pictures of the creative projects I have finished!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone and their families the Happiest of Holidays. I will be kicking back for the next couple of days enjoying the grandkiddos and all the great food (gulp!). I will be back soon with some projects I am finishing up and some things for the new year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

Wishing the best and most plentiful thanksgiving to all of you as you gather with family and friends!

Had A Great Class Today!

2010-11-21T18:29:00.000-08:00

I took another canvas class today, and loved it! I really enjoy working in the canvas medium along with all the dimensionals. When I signed up for this class about two months ago, I didn't even know what the project was, it just sounded interesting. I had done a class with this teacher before, the Paris book, and loved it, so I figured I would love whatever I was doing today-I wasn't disappointed. Here are the pictures both front and back.

I also have been busy working like crazy to get the house ready for holiday decorating. Over the last week, I have completely taken everything out of the dinning room, shampoo'd the carpet, put everything back including cleaning all the glassware in the hutch, taking down the curtains and the sheers, washing and rehanging. I started off Friday morning getting the lawn mowed and the leaves cleaned up before the storm hit on Friday afternoon. Yesterday and today, I gutted the living room, and am waiting for the sheers and curtains to dry to I can rehang them. The christmas tee is up and lit, but won't be decorated until Thanksgiving evening. I also baked a couple of kinds of cookies yesterday, oatmeal chock chip raisin, and fluffernutter. I also made a couple of loaves of banana bread, a sweet potato pie, a tamale casserole, and some burritos. I really did enjoy cooking and cleaning this weekend because the weather outside was cold, windy and rainy. Here is the simple recipe for fluffer nutters that I got from here. This is one of the easiest cookies I have ever done.

Fluffernutters
1 cup creamy peanut butter (I did use chunky, I like the peanuts in it)
1 cup marshmallow creme
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl mix the peanut butter and egg until well combined with a spoon. Slowly stir in the marshmallow cream until just combined. You want to see the marshmallow cream not fully incorporated, almost like swirled through. With a small-medium cookie scoop, scoop dough onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. (I used my professional baking cookie sheets sprayed with Pam and had no problem) Bake for 12-15 minutes or until baked through. Let cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to a cooling rack. ( I also didn't bother to let them cool on the cookie sheet-I transferred them from the cookie sheet directly to the marble slab and let them cool),

This week, I will have to start my sewing if I plan on getting done before Christmas! Not too much to do and once I get started it won't take long, but I need to look at my calendar and pencil in one full day to sew!

Until next time-

Finished Another Chunky Art Piece

2010-11-15T21:44:00.000-08:00

I finished my second chunky swap atc piece and sent it off in the mail! I enjoy making these and they would be great for all kinds of thank you gifts and just something to make the recipient smile!

Here are the four side of the wine chunky atc that I finished.

Not much else is happening in the art world for me. I need to finish about four additional projects this week to stay on track for Christmas. I am also planning on attending the Harvest Festival this weekend. I am looking forward to seeing over 24,000 handcrafts this weekend!
Until next time-

November Dress Finished-One More to Go!!!!

2010-11-09T22:27:00.000-08:00

I finished my November dress this evening and wanted to get it posted before the middle of the month! My inspiration for this dress was drawn from the fabulous colors of fall, the oranges and browns. I also wanted to incorporte what I was thankful for in my life. I designed each of the tags to hang off the ribbon around the waist and each one is something that I am thankful for. Some things are serious and some things are things I just don't want to live without! My thankful tags are: love, grandkids, employment, happiness, health, stability,spirituality, coffee, freedom and blue jeans!! A little rest and then I will be designing my December dress.

Since I am planning on hosting the Dress Up 2011 next year in one of the Yahoo groups I participate in, I hope all of you will watch this blog for the particulars and I invite you to participate!!! This year of "girly" art has been so much fun and the short bursts of creativity have gone a long way for me on the days that I wasn't really up to a big, creative project.

I also wanted to post a picture of my cabinet that I store my dresses in. It is an old picture and I hope to finish the cabinet and update the photo. I found this doll trunk at a thrift store for about $3.00 I think, and I decided the best way to show off the dressed would be in simple black and white. I then found a photo of the Eiffel Tower and mod podged it into the trunk. I still need to do something with the outside and I'm not sure if I will use this trunk for the next year's dresses, in fact, I'm not sure they will fit!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my newest dress!

Working on A Continuation of Dress Up.

2010-11-08T16:40:00.000-08:00

I, like many others was sad to see the end comming to the Dress Up 2010 challenge that has been hosted by Margaret over at Alice and Camilla and wanted to keep going. I was even planning on doing this as a personal ongoing art project. When the moderator of one of my yahoo groups saw my dress on my blog, she commented to me that we should continue this as a group-I thought why not spread the fun for all and continue with the ongoing project. Sooooo-I am in the process of designing a Dress Up 2011 button, and will post soon about the project, so those who want to play along starting in January in the next comming year are welcome to. I am almost finished with my November dress and will be posting that soon!

I took a couple of real quick art mini classes over the weekend, a miniature charlotte shrine necklace and a vintage calendar-as soon as I take pictures, I will get them posted. These projects only took about 45 minutes for the entire class, and I am already working on a different idea for the vintage calendar for my guy for Christmas, again I will post the picture when I get it done.

Lots to do in the next couple of weeks, I am putting together a dress up box for each of the twin granddaughters for Christmas. I will look for a couple of trunks that I can alter with their names and fill them up with all kinds of things. I already found some great tutu's at Walmart for 75% off making them only $1.25 each, I am adding crowns, necklaces, bracelets, hats, purses and making each of them their own princess robes. I made the superhero capes for the boys back in February for Valentine's day and they were such a hit, I thought I would adapt them to the girls. I am trying to make this Christmas a little more homemade and not so much about money-not sure if i will succeed but I am going to give it a try...

Until next time-
Charlene

It's Fall! And I Felt Like Baking!

2010-11-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

I really had high hopes over the weekend of baking some banana and zuccini breads-but that didn't happen! Still, I wanted to make something and so pumpkin spice muffins to the rescue-and these are healthy too!

Pumpkin Spice Muffins (2 points on Weight Watchers)

1 18 oz spice cake mix (I also use a carrot cake mix)
1 15 oz can of pumpkin

Heat overn to 350 degrees

Mix ingredients together
Cook for 20-25 minutes
Makes 24 muffins-these are uber moist and will keep for days in a zip lock bag!

Nothing artsy to show today. I spent the weekend, pulling out "stuff" in the computer/craft room and looking over things and putting away things that I am keeping. Amazing, how much stuff one can accumulate in such a short period of time! I will be back shortly with some finished projects for some upcoming swaps I am in.

Until next time-

Better Late Than Ever!!

2010-10-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

I finally managed to finish up my dress for Dress Up 2010! I guess I had a really hard time trying to decide what the dress would look like-not because of lack of inspiriation, but I really could have put together about a dozen dresses for this month. I finally decided on a witches outfit to celebrate the season. I found this great paper I call midnite sky which I used for the base, added some black tule, some cutouts for the base of the dress and added a great little witches hat to complete the ensemble. I am already thinking about my November dress!

I have started working on some of my Christmas swaps and will be posting pictures soon once they are finished.

It's raining here, and I think this is a good day for doing some art and baking some banana and zucchini breads. I love to cook and bake when the weather is wet and rainy.

I need to get moving and accompolish some thing today before the game this afternoon! Gotta watch me so GIANTS!!!!

GOOOOO GIANTS!!!!

2010-10-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

So while I am not an overly enthused fan of the bat and ball-I did manage to catch the game last night, and it was great! The last time I remember the Giants in the World Series was in 1989 during the Battle of the Bay when both Nor Cal teams, the Giants and the A's were playing. I also remember the horrible earthquake that hit and the delay of the last three games. Usually, I consider baseball on tv a very boring thing to watch and I would rather be at the actual game with all the excitement and typical ball park food. But this game was different. I haven't watched the World Series since the Anaheim Angels played-and I have to admit I am enjoying the game! So my short post for today is goooooooooo GIANTS!!!!!!

Until next time-
Charlene

Still Trying To Get Caught Up---

2010-10-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

I am still trying to get caught up on my commitments-I feel so behind! I did attend a class on Saturday, a halloween printers box, it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed putting my spin on things! The worst part was cutting all the papers to fit in the little openings. Once that was done-I could create. I have three class lined up for November. I might make my six "artsy" things and then some resolution for this year. I also completed and sent off in the mail my tiny coffin for the coffin swap. I ended up including a bag of halloween goodies for altered art and a happy halloween small sign made from scrabble tiles.

I am still trying to get my October dress done for the Dress Up 2010 project. By the time I get done with October's, I might as well do the November one also.

Here are some pictures of completed projects:

This is one of the chunky atc's I finished for a swap I am in. I loved working in

the three demenisonal world! I am stuck on the Alice in Wonderland theme at the moment! I am working on my second one-a wine theme and will post pictures when that one is done.

I have also cut out the pieces for a rag quilt with a pink girl/survivor them for a friend at work for Christmas. Once it is finished I post the pictures of it.

For now, it is back to trying to finish some commitments for the promised dates. Happy arting to everyone!

Charlene

Has Time Really Passed So Quickly?

2010-09-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

Altered $ Store Vampire

I didn't realize I have not posted in almost two weeks! I have been so busy trying to get projects done and clean the "art" room! I have had an obsession lately with Alice and Wonderland and altered objects for halloween. For many years I didn't decorate for halloween, just for fall, but this year I am really enjoying creating things out of throw away objects and turning them into "art"!

Altered Scrabble Board

Halloween Alice Canvas

Candlestick baby witch

Captured Pumpkin Fairy

I also managed to complete my September dress for the Dress Up Challenge. Nothing like being almost into October before completing this!!!! I was originally going to do a jumper that I remember when I was going to elementry school way back when. Then I started thinking about all the my grandmother and how she was dressed each time I saw her when I would come home from school for lunch. My father was in the military and my mother worked, so I spent a great deal of time with my grandmother-this dress reflects her "house" dress with an apron she always wore. Even though she died in 1972, I still miss her!

That's about it for now. I hope to be back soon with some additional halloween art and updates on some ATC's, chunky ATC's made out of wood, and pictures of my miniature coffin that I am getting ready to put in the mail.

Have a great one!

Never Enough Time!

2010-09-09T15:16:00.000-07:00

It seems there is never enough time to get everything done I want to! I always manage to get the "unfun" stuff done, but then there is no time for the "fun" art stuff I want to accomplish! I did manage to get a couple of things completed or at least almost completed, but I am frustrated that I can't dedicate the kind of time to what I really want to do. I did manage to get some ATC's done and a good start on an altoid tin altering, some puzzle pieces almost done, and my miniature coffin for a swap just about ready to ship. There are times I wish I could just take a vacation from household duties and spend time "being artsy" and complete things I need to do. Here are some of the pictures of things I have completed:

I am once again going out of town for the weekend and I am planning on taking a couple of projects with me to finish up. I am also thinking about taking the material to cut up for another rag quilt for one of my friends birthdays next week-I need to get on the ball! Her favorite color is pink and I have a couple of the fabrics but would like to get a couple more so I can get all the cutting and sewing of the blocks done while I have some down time. I also need to do my September dress for the Dress Up 2010 project-I am a little behind on that one too-so maybe I will take that project with me also!

That's about it, I will give you all a progress report when I return on Monday! Happy weekend!

Getting Ready for the Weekend-

2010-08-26T13:50:00.000-07:00

I am really gearing up this week to finish up the swaps, a couple due next week, so that I can freely commit myself to more. I have some pictures below of things I have finished up, a couple of ATC's for swaps and both the front and back page of a fall chunky book swap.

I have also signed up to take some additional classes at the Stamp Art Shoppe in October and November. I was going to take some additional classes in October but I will be out of town and can't cancel since it is already paid for!

In January, I made a New Year's resolution of sort, to make time for art this year. I set a goal to attend six different art insipired events, classes, museums, etc.-so far I am doing well with my goal. I also realized that in keeping the affirmation to myself, I found time to do some art on a personal level and what I have gained from that one small change in my life is emense. I have given myself permission to play-something I had lost touch of.

Thanks for stopping by and everyone have a great weekend!

Finally Finished My Trunk

2010-08-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

I have had this trunk for about four months now and just couldn't get motivated to get it done. The inside is pretty much done-I may add some pink here and there, and I still need to do something with the outside maybe some Paris/France travel labels. Anyway, I managed to get the inside done and it is now on top of the scrapping armoire with the little dresses hanging it it.

I also attended a grunge girl necklace class today. Boy did I have some fun painting and collaging to my hearts content! I didn't quite finish my necklace and I do need to add some more "stuff" but for now it looks pretty good! I really wanted to do a necklace with sort of a beach/ocean theme (seems to be my thing right now!) but I didn't get a class list of what I needed so I made due with what I had only buying a couple of extra things. I found a collage sheet I liked and only after I was working on this little book necklace did I realize that my theme was Italian. Now, my sweetie is part Italian-so for whatever reason I gravitated to those images. And, since I have a lot of his mother's costume jewlery, some great pieces that are broke and I couldn't bear to throw them away, I will be adding those to the "Italian"necklace also. I should mention his mother was full Italian. I am thinking I would like to do a couple more of these for gifts for the upcoming holiday season. Anyway-I had a very productive art day-and I managed to get the front yard mowed, a couple of plants replanted into pots, and some of the lava rock dug out of the front planter-so I feel a real productive day has been accomplished.

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend!

A Birthday Party and Some Art

2010-08-21T20:21:00.000-07:00

I spent the better part of today celebrating my grandaughters' second bithday and with twins there is always twice the fun, oh-and mess! I spent a great deal of time cooking this morning and picking up the cake, my son barbecued ribs (he is a chef) and man were there people there! I think just in family alone, there were at least thirty people!

I also managed to finish up a couple of swaps and get them into the mail. The spider ATC is a interactive waterfall and the Mermaid ATC. I have lots of projects in the que which are comming due within the next couple of weeks so I need to get busy.

This morning I also crocheted the grandbabies, all four of them, sock monkey hats for Christmas, I will get a picture of them posted once I download them from the camera. I thinks that's all for now, have a great rest of the weekend!

Happy Wednesday and New Art!

2010-08-11T11:57:00.000-07:00

I finally was able to get photos taken and uploaded with some of the finished projects/art work that I needed to ship off for swaps. I was also able to find some great "stuff" while thrift store shopping the past couple of days. I really should take pictures of things which is much better than trying to describe what I found-but since I didn't take pictures, I will just tell everyone. Some small pompom trim, an printers tray, a metal umbrella wall hanging (which I will repaint) to keep all my baby shoes in that are waiting to be altered. A combination quilt hanger and shelf, some great rhinestone costume jewlery earrings, a blue glass starbucks mug to add to the collection, a pin up girl tin (about the size of a bandaid box), a vintage valentine box, some vintage hangers, some vintage wrapping paper, another small wooden compartmental box with a plastic see through slide lid, and two christmas punches-all for $11.00 with my senior discount! Now, I don't think I really qualify age wise for a senior discount-and I really could take this action one of two ways. Either I look old enough to be a senior, or (my prefrence) the lady was being really nice and giving me a discount! Either way, I just love when I can find things that I really will use in upcoming projects!

Now, I have finished both the April and August dresses in the Dress Up 2010 challenge, so that means I am all caught up!

My inchies for the FAB 26 swap and a party hat for a doll I am planning to alter:

I think that is about all I have to show you for now!

Oh, but I did mange to make up a batch of chocolate peanut butter cup rice krispie treats over the weekend, I got the recipe from here. They are fabulous! WARNING-make sure there is enough milk in the house before you eat one-they are over the top!

Everyone have a nice day and I will see you in a couple!

The Last Couple of Days Have Been Very Productive!

2010-08-02T01:48:00.000-07:00

Since I had a three day weekend, I decided to really concentrate on staying home and finishing up projects not only around the house, but also some art projects I had started but not had quite the time to finish.

On Friday, I went to the Goodwill outlet (where all the crazy, obsessed thrifters seem to be), this time taking my son to kinda protect me. At the outlet, they wheel huge bins of "stuff" in them out into rows in like a big warehouse area-the feeding frenzy begins! Glassware and electronics are $1.39 a pound, and clothes, linens, soft goods are all .69 cents a pound. I don't mind, but some people are downright rude throwing things, pushing and shoving without a care in the potential harm of others. Anyway, it was a very productive time there-I spent about three hours. I came away with some great antique class milk bottles, a couple of jars for making jar faries, some tiny miniature charms and things for my junk necklace, a heart interlocking chain sterling silver necklace, another starbucks coffe mug, an uno rummy game-for the game pieces, some disney money, a jar of miniature oragami cranes, a 4x4 porcelin quilt wall hanging, some larger ABC blocks, three rubber stamps, a beautiful quilt, some gold dabloons (I think for Disneyland) for some altered art, some antique buttons, a cordless phone with an answering machine, an antique doll high chair, a puzzle with the four inch pieces (great for altering), a leather skirt for my daughter in law, a hot pot, a heart bird cage, a sandcast dog for mothers dog collection, a covered crock with the presidential seal on it for mothers crock collection, a coffe grinder, three dolls for altering, an old heart shaped compact for altering, and two great different shaped liquor bottles. My son managed to pick up, a coffee grinder, a backpack, some sculpy clay, two pairs of shorts, a sweatshirt, a snowboard (he is planning to airbrush it for the snow this winter), some knee pads, a heavy plastic advertising banner for his business, a sleep pad for camping, and a coleman camping propane light. And the best part was the grand total was $31.00! I just love this place even with the afroementioned crazy people, I guess that's the price for getting such awesome deals!

On Saturday, I needed to run a few errands, picked up mother and we went to breakfast, steak and eggs-yumm! We then went to Target, on to Beverly's crafts where I found an awesome piece for the production room (studio). I have posted pictures below-I loved this piece but really couldn't justify $129.00 for it. I knew I had a forty percent coupon at home I had forgotten, but did I really want to go all the way home and back. The nice lady (she reminded me of my grandmother) who was helping me came up and handed me a forty percent coupon so I could get this piece. I picked up a couple of things and thought I had hit the jackpot with this piece and forty percent off. Mother insisted that I get it and wanted to pay for it for my birthday, which is still about six weeks away. When the cashier rang me out-she said they were already on sale for fifty percent off! Wow-double jackpot! So I walked out with my prize possession! Then it was next door to the antique store-mother found a cool french bird cage in a perfect color to match her room, and a lingerie drawer organizer, I found a little brass eiffel tower for my collection. I have had such a good junking weekend-I almost don't want to go back to work. I want to stay home and play and redo my treasures!

Have a great next couple of days everyone, happy art-ting!!

My ART this Week**

2010-07-23T22:30:00.000-07:00

Here are the ATC's I finished this week. One of a 5th blog anniversary, the small dress for a black, white and red theme and assorted ATC's with a beach, music, patriotic and button themes.

These are my Marie Antionette submissions for a chunky book swap in an ATC group I am participating in. The first picture is my cover, followed by the front page of my page and the back page. I had to make the mask for the front as I couldn't find anything small enough. The back page has a sewn hankerchief with MA stamped on it. I found while do research on MA, that she is credited with inventing the hankerchief.

These are the dress I have completed for the Dress Up 2010, the black one is January, pink one February, the green one for March, the bird one for May, and the fusion bride dress is for June. Dress Up 2010 is being done over on the Alice and Camila blog. Each month starting in January we are to make one dress for the month for twelve months. At the end of the year, we will have amased some amazing clothes and works of art. The dresses can be made with any art material of the creators choosing. I didn't discover this website until a few weeks ago, so now I am playing catchup. I only have the April dress to do and then I will be caught up-just in time to create the August dress.

This is my first paperdoll I have ever made! This was a challenge and swap to only use junk mail. Since I rarely get anything but pizza ads-pizza man was born and since pizza always comes in a box-I made a box for him to be delivered in! I feel like I have caught up on so much this week-I am actually ahead of the game. Everyone have a great weekend, and I will be back with more art soon!

Lot's of Art Created Within the Last Week

2010-07-14T14:35:00.000-07:00

Being without transportation for the last few days has forced me to evaluate my time to get the most done while being at home. Not only did I get a great deal of things done inside and out, but I actually was able to sit down and be creative and not feel pressured to accomplish art-I was able to just create! I managed to get some inchies done to add to my collection and a birthday inchie to send to one of the birthday girls in the yahoo group. Then it was on to finish the three ATC's for different swaps I had signed up for. I need to have them done by the end of July and the first part of August, but again, I didn't want to feel pressured, and finished them to get ready to mail. I would rather be early then running behind the power curve! Next, I joined the Dress Up 2010 challenge, making one mixed media art dress a month for a year. I did July's dress, now I just have to catch up on the rest of the months! Last week I finished another quilted assembledge wall hanging for my boss who left and went to another agency. She loves music, is in at least two bands and contra dances also. I wanted to give her something that each time she looks at it, she would remember our office. I think I accompolished that!

But the worst part of today, was not remembering that today is my eighth anniversary! I can't believe that my sweetie is the one who remembered for the second year in a row! He called me early this morning and then again a couple of hourse later-so a double whammy today! I have been so busy with picking up the truck and returning the rental car that I completely forgot what day it is! I am going to have to think of something totally spectacular to make up for this one!

Have a great day everyone!!

Can You Believe It's July?!

2010-07-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

There were time this year when I didn't think the summer was every going to get to Northern California because of all the rain and cold days-all of a sudden we are in triple digit weather! We didn't have much of a spring, so it seems that we have gone from winter to summer overnight!

One of my oldest friends is retiring today after thirty six years-yipee for her!!! (Although, I secretly wish it were me!) She is an avid quilter and I have always enjoyed watching her create a thing of beauty. In fact, many years ago, she is the one who inspired me to attempt quilting. As I sat yesterday, trying to figure out what I could do as a meaningful gift to mark this occassion, I thought about a quilt, but didn't really have enough time to put something together. I wanted the gift to be a reminder of her time working, but also her new path in life in retirement. I finally came up with an assemblege quilt. I haven't done one of these in a long time, I do enjoy making them as they are so individual to the person. Her favorite color is yellow combinded with blue, I hope she likes it. I thought she could hang it in her quilt room as a constant reminder of the good and bad times, the friendship and the love. And that she will know that it is she who inspired me to try my hand at quilting. Congratulations Alice on your retiremen!!!

Everyone have a great blast of a weekend, stay safe!

Still A Sad Day...

2010-06-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

On this day of the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson's death, I still feel sadened to have such a musical giver gone. No matter what your individual opinion of the person is, he was a humanitarian and he gave a lot of himself in everything he did. Personally, Michael and I were/are the same age, so I grew up with him, purchased all his albums, yes, I did say albums! Listened to him on the radio, back in the AM days! And enjoyed the display of his talent. The day of his death even brought to me some self reflection and how precious life really is. I for one, still truly miss his contributions to this world and wish his family peace and healing.

I think I Can Slow Down-A Little!

2010-06-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

What a week and weekend! I think I can finally slow down and get back to my continued project of the reorganization of the craft/computer room!

For my sweetie's birthday this past weekend, I made his favorite wine cake and I forgot how yummy it is, here is the recipe:

Di "Vine" Wine Cake
Cake
1 box of devils food cake
1 small box (6 ounces) black cherry gelatin
4 eggs at room temperature
1 cup California Cabernet Sauvignon Wine
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (12 oz) package of semi sweet chocolate chips

Wine Glaze Ingredients
2 tablespoons room temperature butter
1/2 cup Cabernet Sauvignon Wine
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees, grease bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, beat cake mix, gelatin, eggs, wine, and oil on low speed for 30 seconds.
Increase speed to medium and beat for one minute-scrapping the sides. Add chocolate chips
making sure all indredients are well mixed.
Slowly pour cake into the bundt pan, tapping pan lightly to make sure all air bubbles are released
before baking. Bake on the middle rack for 40 minutes.
Carefully remove from oven, set aside for 10 minutes to cool. Carefully use a plastic knife to loosen
cake from pan, invert onto wire rack.
While the cake cools, prepare a simple cabernet wine glaze. Combine the butter, wine and powdered
sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring all ingredients to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon
vanilla extract. Set aside for drizzling on individual slices of cake.

Pretty simple to make and a great crowd pleaser.

I Can't Believe Almost A Month Since I Posted!!!!!!

2010-06-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

How time flys when we are all busy! I returned from So Cal after many long hours of cleaning and organizing a house with sixty four years of memories. Have put some incredible aniques into storage for a later date when I have the room to move them and display them. I also came back with two 18 gallon containers of pictures and we have barely scratched the surface! A good trip but an exhausting one.

I just got back yesterday froma two day trip to Reno. We took approximately forty ladies, chartered a bus, stayed at the El Dorado hotel and casino and saw a fantastic show, Shake, Rattle and Roll! Boy did these kids have some energy, an hour and a half of constant dancing and singing.

Today I have a baby shower, and I have attached a photo of the baby card I had to whip up quickly this morning-because I was too busy running around the country, making poodle skirts, and just in general overloading myself!

I am off again tomorrow for a long weekend with my sweetie, we are celebrating his birthday and father's day all rolled into one weekend-with me getting the benefits of the celebration!

Getting Ready To...

2010-05-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

I packing and getting ready for the long weekend in Southern California. Must do some family stuff, cleaning a house that holds sixty four years of memories-which requires going through lots of things, and putting stuff into storage-big job ahead. I wanted to upload some pictures of the beginning of the birthday cards for month for my sweetie. Each and every year that we have been together, I have made him a card for each day of his birthday month leading up to his special day-some years I am definately challenged in the creativity part! Here are the first three:

Each year I try to think about my sweeties personality and make cards that reflect that. So, knowing he loves his MGS, the first card seemed appropriate, the second card came about because he was somewhat of a hippie in the 60's and the lava lamp just seems to reflect those times. The third card is the crab and since he is a Cancer, the crab seemed appropriate-besides he is too cute peeking out of his shell. So, once I get back from down south, I need to kick into high gear and get some additional cards done so that I don't get behind the power curve-which seems to happen more often than not! There are times when I just can't seem to get creative and I have to turn to other people's blogs and SCS for inspiration-to tap into other's creativity! Thanks goodness for the computer or I would be stuck. I am still working on redoing some thrift store finds and will post them when I return. I have also been trying to put the computer craft room back together after completely clearing it out and only putting things back in that I have a use for and that will fit. I fell into the mindset of "it's on sale, and I might use it one day" but after five or six years, it never has been used. I have started a pile and plan to donate some things to a senior center or to the upcoming SPCA sale for the care and feeding of the animals. I can't believe that I can accumulate so much stuff and in a relatively short period of time!

So Much Catching Up To Do!

2010-05-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

Lot's of stuff going on and barely enough time to craft or cook-two of my favorite things to do! Last weekend everyone pitched in to rototill the backyard-that was a job! The backyard is huge and really needed to be done! We are planning on laying in the grass seed and then completely raking it-unfortunately, with three dogs, they will have to be taken out front for the next three weeks until the backyard sprouts-we don't want anything to kill the grass before it starts!

I completely gutted the craft /computer room and started cleaning-WOW, what a job! I have moved the heavy pieces of furniture back into place and now the task of plowing through everything deciding what I need to keep and what can be given away to those who will use thing! I have also been going through all the old magazines, hopefully, I can offer them to my stamp group who may be able to draw some inspiration.

Today I have a turkey cooking in the roaster. We have not had turkey since Thanksgiving and I thought what an easy dish with leftovers for sandwiches this week. I also made some cookies this morning, peanut butter marshmallow. The recipe I picked up off the Picky Plate blog. So easy with only three ingredients and who knew just three minutes from start to the oven! Everyone here loved them! In fact my 26 year old son woke up out of a dead sleep "does my nose decieve me or are you making cookies?"

Just a pretty much laid back day tring to get things done around here. Oh, and the best part-my home computer is back up and running, I don't have to wait until I get to work to do things! Yipeee!

Spring is Here, But I Can't Wait Until Summer!!!!

2010-04-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a fantastic Easter! Not too much activity yesterday, as Northern California was turned into a shower of sorts most of the day. We received almost three-quarters of an inch just yesterday-so that tells you how drenched we were. Then today, the sun was out and shinning, but I heard we are in for some move wet weather this evening.

I wanted to post a guitar card I cased from Splitcoaststampers, I did my own pattern and I think it came out pretty good. My significant other was up for a musician of the year award and when I saw this card, I thought it was perfect since he plays base guitar. So I started to design the guitar in his favorite colors, make sure it was a six-string, since that is what he plays, added some bling, put a wonderful little sentiment in it-and whola-his own designer original! He didn't win, but at least we will have the card to remind him that he was nominated!!

Hard to Believe It's The End of March Already!

2010-03-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

I wanted to get caught up on my posting before the clok ticks off the final hours of March. Holding true to my new year's affirmations, I completed anothe art class on Thursday night, blending with copic markers. We learned all kinds of neat techniques and made four cards which I will post once I take pictures. That completes two of my six art/cultural projects/classes to complete this year. I would actually love to say I could do something every month, but I thought six was attainable for me with my busy schedule.

I finished all my Easter cards and they are in the mail on the way to their destinations. I also finished a sort of get well card to my future father in law-he had a series of triple strokes and is in rehab, but at 92 years old is doing fantastic.

I was having a serious case of spring fever the past couple of beautiful sunny warm days, so I found a crochet pattern I wanted to try called a rose afghan pattern. With the flowers in the center and the color of pink I an so reminded of the springtime, although today seems to be cold and wet! That's what I get for getting myself psyched up for warmer weather! This is going together so quickly, I might actually have time to make another one for mother for mothers day!

I have finished putting all the grandkids Easter baskets together and will ship the grandson's baskets to North Carolina-and true to form, they will probably not be received in time-but I'm sure as the boys grow up they will learn that Grandma is usually alway behind the power curve when it comes to sending packages! It was so much easier when they lived here in California!

A friend of mine and her husband are opening their new church on Easter/Resurrection Sunday and we have agreed to perform for the opening and I haven't even reheared yet! Neverending things to do-I really don't know how people can complain about nothing to do-I could use about seventy-two hours in each day and still not have enough time to complete everything I need to!!! Have a delightful day and thanks for stoping by!!!!

Spring is Here!

2010-03-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

I have spent the last couple of days bringing "stuff" in to springy (is that a word?) up my cubicle that I spend a great deal of my time in. I started with the birdcage found at the SPCA thrift store for seventy five cents, applied a can of glossy white paint from Wally World (96 cents), added some easter grass and a stuffed chocolate bunny that was forty eight cents and wholaa! I also put some assorted Boyd's bunnies and Ty easter bears into the collection (all found at thrift stores and none over $2.00). rounding off with some glitter eggs and glass bunnies. I still need to add a couple of things but I can feel spring is upon us!!!

Paris in the Spring!

2010-03-08T13:42:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, Paris in the spring! This is the finished product of a class I took yesterday at the Stamp Art Shoppe in Roseville. I am not a Paris fan, but I do like the way this book/keepsake turned out. As I was working on this, my mind was spinning with all the possibilities, wedding, babies, graduations, anniversaries, etc. Now that I have made one, I doubt it will take me over three hours to put the next one together!

On Saturday made a trip to IKEA (which is swedish for: put your furntiure together yourself! LOL) and found some great stuff. I have not been there in ages and bought a drawer set to house "some" of my stamps, I may need to buy another one soon, some rugs, candles and lanterns for the backyard, some dog "butt" hooks to hang the dog leashes on (just the cutest things!) and some other miscellaneous "stuff" that I knew I couldn't do without! Oh, and the most important thing, I brought home a six pack of their cinnamon rolls. If you have never had them-they are not only good, but huge!

I didn't get everything I wanted to done this past weekend, but I made a dent in it. Hopefully, the weather will soon turn and stay nice and I can get outside and work in the yards. I took the lawnmower in over the weekend for it's yearly "checkup"and am hoping to get it back soon as the lawns are starting to look like overgrown jungle. I am starting to get that spring fever to be outside, planting and working in the yard when the weather turns nice!

TGIF!!!!!

2010-03-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

This has been one long week for me! I didn't think I would ever get everything done at work that I needed to. But, yipeeeeee, the weekend is here and I am looking so forward to doing some papercrafting and taking the upcoming class on Sunday. I am also looking forward to using some time this weekend to get started on the organization of the stamping/craft room-it has been far to long and now it looks as though something blew up in that room! I hate the daunting task of completely redoing that room, but I also know that once it is done I will feel great about everything organized and in its place. I look at other people's craft rooms, and wish that I could hire them to come over and make mine magically wonderful!!!

Have a great weekend to everyone, and hopefully I will be back after the weekend with pictures of projects and progress!

Wow! How Time Flies When I Am Busy!!!

2010-03-03T13:34:00.000-08:00

Some of the cards we finished in the Friday card class. We meet once a month, usually with a theme, this month's was spring. So interesting to see everyone's take on the them, all so different but all so great!

So much to share since it has been awhile since I posted. I have taken a card class, finished some capes for the grandkiddos, and finished three rag quilts-whew!

My oldest grandson turned four on March 1 and since he loves spider man so much, I made him a superhero cape from spiderman material. So easy with a tutorial I found on the net! Of course if one is getting a cape, the little one (Matty, 2) has to have one also. So I made Matty a car cape-his favorite, except I cut off about five inches since he is so much shorter.

The superhero capes for the grandsons!

Matty's car cape.

Jacob's superman superhero cape.

A quilt for a friend.

Mom's quilt

This Sunday, I am taking a Paris inspired canvas altered project class, I will post pictures once it is done. I have made New Year's affirmations to myself to take at least six artsy classes this year. In March I am taking the Paris altered class and also a Copic blending class-might as well learn to use the pens that I have spent bokuuu bucks on! In April, I am taking a free motion sewing/quilting class and I am not sure what I am going to do in May. At this rate, I should have no problem accomplishing my six classes for this year!

Lots of stuff in this post, but I did want to catch up since it doesn't seem that it has been that long since I posted, but looking at the date it has been a good three weeks-good grief!!!

Happy crafting to all!!!!

Busy, But Not Out of Touch!!!

2010-02-11T07:38:00.000-08:00

The weather here has been so rainy overcast and just plain yucky, but I can honetely say I am getting a lot of stamping and sewing done. Lots of meals are being prepared in the crockpot, to make life real simple. I managed to finish a few more valentine cards and get them ready to mail. (Sorry the pictures are so bad!!! I also finished two rag quilts over the weekend and will post pictures once I get them out of the camera! One of the rag quilts was done entirely during the superbowl. Once the crockpot was plugged in with the ravioli stew (yum!) I was able to sit and watch the game and sew. The valentine gifts to the grandbabies have all been distributed and now I can enjoy my upcoming weekend out of town!

While out of town, I am planning on taking the sewing machine with me to sneak in some crative downtime-of course working on another rag quilt. And lots of stamps and paper since I need to put card class packets together for an upcoming card class I am having. The theme is spring but not necessarily easter, so I would like to create something that could be used for both or even mothers day-I really like versatile cards.

Here is the crockpot italian stew in case you are interested:

Crockpot Italian Stew

2 cups sliced carrots

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic (actually I throw in a lot more-I am a garlic freak!)

2 14-oz cans of vegetable broth

2 14-oz cans italian style diced tomatoes, undrained

15 oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 tsp dried basil leaves

1/8 tsp pepper

9 oz pkg refrigerated cheese stuffed ravioli pasta ( Ilike a lot of ravioli so I add two bags)

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Prep:

Combine all ingredients except ravioli pasta and parmesan cheese in 3-4 quart slow cooker. (I use my bigger crockpot because I do add extra ravioli) Cover and cook on low for 6 hours until carrots are tender. Increase heat to high and stir in ravioli. Cover crockpot and cook for 10-15 minutes until ravioli are tender. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.

This is a great vegetarian meal and a real comfort food-enjoy! I will return after this weekend to post some additional project pictures and maybe a new yummy menu item! Have a great weekend!

Pictures Are Coming!

2010-01-27T16:20:00.000-08:00

I have worked so many stressful hours this past couple of weeks that the only sanity I have is doing a little sewing. I have finished five table runners, really easy about twenty minutes start to finish. I will post pictures and the link to the website in the near future.

I am looking forward to the coming weekend, no rainy weather this weekend, and I am hoping to just relax and finish up some projects I have been trying to get to.

I have almost finished all of my valentines and will post those stamped beauties when I download the pictures from the camera-seems I take the pictures, but have a heck of a hard time getting them downloaded into the computer! I also want to try out a couple of new recipes and look through some of my past recipes to get ready for the superbowl in a little over a week!

Hope you all have a great day!!!

Had A Busy Weekend

2010-01-25T17:14:00.000-08:00

I manged to get a couple of projects done this weekend. Pj's for valentines day for all the grandkids, doll blankets for the twin girls dollies for valentine day and almost done with the heart rag quilt for me. I am also finishing up the binding on the valentine wall hanging, hopefully tonight!

Made some triple chocolate cupcakes this weekend, along with Bubble Pizza and for Saturday night, Carne Asada roast with baked potatoes and green beans.

With the weather so miserable, I have only wanted to stay in to cook, sew and craft all weekend! I am looking forward to better weather so we can get outside, I know the dogs would be happy with sunshine!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2010-01-21T15:21:00.000-08:00

I think that this is my mantra right now! I am trying to bind the valentine wall hanging, finish the flannel pj's for all four grandkids, make a cherokee wedding blanket for an upcoming wedding I will be attending, make three valentine table runners, finish the valentines for the envelope book and sneak in some time for myself, oh and work. Wow-even typing that exhausted me! I don't have any pictures to post today (I haven't downloaded from my camera yet), but I do have a recipe that is easy peasy and yummy. I downloaded it off the local morning news website because it sounded so yummy, quick and easy.

Marianne's Grandma's 'Supper on a Bread Slice'
1½ lbs lean hamburger
1 med yellow onion, chopped
2/3 c milk
1 egg, scrambled
2 cups grated Velveeta cheese (don't use anything else but Velveeta)
2 c bread cubes (just tear up some French bread)
1 T prepared mustard
Salt and pepper
1 loaf of French bread (in addition to the cubes above)
Aluminum foil

Slice the loaf of French bread horizontally, so there's a top and a bottom. Cover the sides and bottom with foil, so just the top is exposed.
Mix all the other ingredients together to make a cheesy meatloaf. Pile it on top of the bread halves to make two equal pieces. Bake them on a cookie sheet at 350° for probably 45 minutes to an hour, until the meat portion looks crispy and done! Let it cool for a few minutes, then cut it into 2" slices. Try not to eat the whole thing by yourself!

That's all for today. Hopefully I can complete some things and have pictures uploaded soon!

What A Nice Long Weekend..

2010-01-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

I didn't get as much done as I wanted, but I made a wonderful start. On Friday, I attended our monthly card class with the girls, we made a total of seven cards, some very simple and some real fruffy! I also managed to finish the "love" envelope book that will hold a total of fourteen different valentine cards when it is done. Each and every year I do a total of fourteen different valentine cards for my sweetie-one for each day until Valentine's Day! I also managed to get the valentine tree up and work on the quilted valentine wall hanging.

I also tried this fabulous recipe on Monday, a chicken broccoli wreath but for the life of me I don't remember where I got it from on the internet, so if it is yours, let me know and I will give your credit.

Chicken Wreath Recipe
1/2 C. red bell pepper, chopped1/2 C. broccoli, chopped

1/4 C. water chestnuts, drained and chopped

2 T. onion, chopped

6 oz. cooked chicken breast, chopped

2/3 C. cream of chicken soup

1 C. (4 oz) shredded Cheddar cheese

2 (8 oz.) pkg. refrigerated crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 350ºF.Chop pepper, broccoli, water chestnuts, onion and chicken. Combine all ingredients except crescent rolls in medium bowl.

Unroll crescent rolls and arrange triangles in a circle on a large cookie sheet with the bases overlapping in center and points toward the outside. Scoop filling mixture onto widest portion of each triangle. Fold points of triangle over filling and tuck under base at center. (Filling will not be completely covered.) Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

This is a fast easy and fabulous chicken wreath, served with salad and triple chocolate brownies for dessert. I even had leftovers enough for my lunch today!!!

More tomorrow, have a great day!

I'm In A Heart Mood..

2010-01-14T10:23:00.000-08:00

I have so many projects to complete that while I watched the second night of American Idol (this is the best part of the show-people who think they can sing!) I was able to get started on a Valentine wall plaque for my office-I'm not sure what else it needs, I will just continue to stare at it until inspiration hits.

I also am working on a valentine heart quilted wall hanging for the wall of my office. I am in the process of hand quilting the hearts and will post the picture if and when I get it done for this year!

This year I am ahead of the game and have started on my valentine cards. This is my favorite time of year, all the hearts are out in the stores and I loooooovvvvee hearts! The card with the doily I will be bringing to my monthly stamp meeting-I still need to figure out the perfect sentiment for it, the other card reminds of chocolate hearts.

I talked to friend yesterday and found out after nine years, they are getting married on the 29th of this month! I am planning to whip together a Cherokee (a part of my heritage) wedding blanket-I will post the pictures of that once I get it completed.

I think that is all for now-got lots to do today~!!!

There comes a time....

2010-01-13T15:00:00.001-08:00

When one must finally bite the bullet, delurk from reading others blogs and finaaally start contributing to the blog world! This is my first post and in the coming months I hope to contribute, in my small way, my thoughts and projects that I have undertaken and completed. I have received so much inspiration from others that I just want to give something back by posting the things that I have been inspired to create and have completed.

Right now I have to open up the cricut box that I bought back in October and really get moving on creating with it! Watch for some of those accomplishments in the near future.