Scrap U Eve

So, the kids are going back to school and TODAY is Scrap U Eve.

(I think that's kind of like Christmas Eve minus the milk & cookies for Santa).  :)

Yep, Scrap U for the big kids starts TOMORROW!!! 

Are you EXCITED yet? 

I know our entire Design Team is SUPER EXCITED for Scrap U to start! 

We have so many FUN things in store for you this month!! 

WHAT?  YOU'RE NOT REGISTERED YET?? 

Well, you STILL HAVE TIME - pop by and register (It's FREE AND WILL BE SUPER FUN), you'll definitely NOT want to MISS your first day of class tomorrow!!

Ms. Amy is kickin' things off first thing tomorrow!!

So, get your supplies together and get that backpack filled up.

Don't be late - we can't wait to have you join us!!

(Nope, NOT ready to put the flip flops away quite yet!!)

Hi Ho Hi Ho....

It's Back to School they go!

I know all you mom's out there are doing your "Happy Back to School" dance!!

Here in Michigan, schools don't start (most of them) until AFTER the Labor Day Holiday.  Tourism is one of our summer biggies, so the kids go back after one of the last 'official' summer holidays.

I thought I'd share with you some neat digi-images created by Taylor, daughter of my best friend Shelly, of Shelly's Images.  She draws just like her mom and these super cute back to school images are a few of hers.

This card was created for my summer pen pal Claire.  Like all the other kids, she's headed  back to school on Tuesday, but I thought I'd send her a cutie before she starts hittin' the books again.

Images - Shelly's Images "Taylor's Back to School Freebies"

Paper - Pencil Paper (digi created w/Back to School Freebie), Kraft & White CS

Technique - Copics

Extra STUFF - Sentiment created with MS Publisher "Mickey" font, Yellow/Orange Raffia and Button from my stash

I don't usually DO MULTIPLE Challenges, but I thought I'd give it a try.

Here are the challenges I participated in -

Shelly's Images - Recipe Challenge

Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes

Double Dutch - Make Your Own Patterned Paper

C.E.S Challenge - Anything Goes

So, that's three more challenges than I'd usually participate with all at once.  That was kind of fun!  :)

Hope you had a great Monday (even though it's windin' down).

Marvelous Monday - My Pad

Join us over at Shelly's Images today and check out the newest addition to the digi-store.  "My Pad" is available TODAY ONLY for a discount. 

Isn't he just the cutest??

Be sure to stop over and see what the design team girls have created with this adorable image and don't forget to get yours today!!

CANNED - Part Deux!

I'm sure there will be parts Three, Four, Five and Six too!  LOL

Last week Glen and I pickled and canned the Sweet Banana Peppers we had - we had more peppers than I even wanted to try & count - Really!  Once we got them cut into round slices, it was MORE than 10 cups! 

So, in a few hours, we were listening to the popping of a GOOD day canning!

There's a lot to be said for freshly canned peppers and fresh garlic.  We have to wait 5-6 weeks for them to be ready (we pickled them).  I can hardly wait to taste them when they're ready though.

If you have a crazy amount of peppers like we did, the recipe we used:

10 cups Banana Peppers (we cut in circles - you could cut in strips if you wish)

4 cups White Vinegar

2 teaspoons Pickling Salt (we used Dill Pickling Salt)

1 clove of garlic in each jar

Mix Vinegar & Salt together - bring to boil.

Keep jars warm.  Pack jars tightly with garlic & peppers leaving 1/4" head room.  Add vinegar/salt mixture into each jar - leaving 1/4" head room.  Remove bubbles from jar.  Put hot lid on jar, screw on band.

After this step you can stop, but we wanted to make sure that the peppers were preserved (I'm a germ freak & wanted to make sure there was no FUNK growing in the jars).  You can put them in a hot water bath (boiling) for 10 minutes.  Let them cool & listen to those lids pop!

Thanks for stoppin' by today.  Hopefully I'll have a little something more creative that doesn't involve Veggies to share tomorrow.  LOL :)

Next on the agenda - either peaches or tomato sauce - guess it's good we don't have HUGE plans for Labor Day weekend, huh?

Yep, Anniversary's ROCK this month!

So, in addition to my in-laws celebrating an Anniversary this month, our friends Susan and Kris are celebrating their 2 year Anniversary.  It is 2 years, right?  Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating your special day with you!

So, to celebrate, an adorable little wedding couple from Bugaboo Stamps.

Aren't they just the cutest??

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "A Kids View - Our Wedding Couple"

Paper - From my stash - Bazzill Chocolate & Heidi Grade Designs Print (the paper is actually some of the paper she used for their wedding invites - yep, digging into my scrap box)!

Technique - Copics for coloring

Tools - Nesties Frame

Extra STUFF - Studio G Stamp (cherish), Color Box Chestnut Roan, Wire Ribbon (from my stash), Stickles & Bling
I think after today's Anniversary, we're all Anniversaried out until November.  Stay tuned!
Hugs & Smiles!

Happy Anniversary!

I don't know about you, but we always look forward to our Anniversary. Usually we have our Black Out BBQ and celebrate with our family and friends. This year was a little different, but we can't wait to celebrate again next year.

We have a few Anniversaries that we're celebrating this month other than ours.

My In-Laws celebrate their Anniversary on August 25 (tomorrow) so I thought I'd share with you a little Anniversary Card I put together for them.

 Paper - Love paper: Designed by me :)

Dark Purple Cardstock from my stash

Light Purple Sparkley paper - Coredinations (LOVE this sparkley paper!!)

Cricut - Yep been breakin' this out a little lately!  Beyond Birthdays "LOVE" cut at 1.5"
Extra STUFF - Bling and on the inside I used the MS punch on some sparkley purple paper to finish it off.
Happy Early Anniversary Mom & Dad!
Thanks so much for stoppin' by today!  I hope you've had a super crafty kind of day.
If you haven't stopped by Shelly's Images today, you should definitely stop by.  Ms. Marion's Tutorial today is showing you how to do an awesome cloud background like I've used here and here (thanks to Marion giving me a terrific link.
Anyway, check it out and make sure you follow us - we have lots of great stuff up our sleeve to share with you! ;o)
Hugs & Smiles!

Marvelous Monday!

Happy Monday!!  It's a Marvelous Monday - the humidity has dropped considerably and we were FINALLY able to give the good ole AC a rest.  The windows are open and breeze is keeping things cool. 

After a busy weekend around the house (the Farm Friday - and WOW do we have green beans & tomatoes), A well needed House Cleaning on Saturday and Grocery Shopping and a yummy dinner on Sunday.  So, we're doing a little bit of catching up.

Because I'm playing catch up, of course, I have no creative things to show you today (though the Sweet Stuffed Peppers we made for dinner last night and fresh green beans were a GORGEOUS Work of Art).

HOWEVER, because today is a Marvelous Monday, Shelly's Images has a new image we're highlighting - Sandy Dreams! 

Isn't this just adorable?  And if you want to really be inspired, stop over and see what the girls have created.

I hope you've had a great Monday and are creating some amazing Works of Art!

I hope to be back tomorrow with a little crafty something (if not I'll be sure to share a photo of food and a yummy recipe - LOL)

 

Just another day at the Beach...

Boy, don't we wish lately!  That would be the icing on the cake for a Friday, wouldn't it?! 

I just love these little Bugaboo Stamps Turtles - there seems to be one for EVERY occasion!  I actually used the png files so I could add the little beach ball and floatie freebie image that Jodie at Bugaboo was kind enough to giveaway when she hit 500 followers on her blog.

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Turtles" & "Beach Freebies"

Paper - Bazzill Cardstock, blue textured cardstock from my scrappy bin & the green paper is packaging from a Stampendous stamp

Technique - Copics

Punches - EK Success Scalloped Punch and Fiskars Apron Punch

Nesties scalloped square

Cloud technique (THANK YOU AGAIN MARION!!)

Extra STUFF - Stampendous "Beach Bum" stamp, Color box Chestnut Roan Ink, Stampendous Fish stamps, Flower Soft 'Sand', Dimensionals to pop up the turtle shell & umbrella, hand cut clouds popped up on dimensionals, tulle and GOOGLEY EYES!

I'm not sure who this card will go to yet - there are a few people that might enjoy it. 

Guess we'll let it be a surprise! :o)

Thanks so much for stoppin by today!  Glen and I are off to the farm today - I'm sure we'll be coming home with boxes full of fresh green beans, green & banana peppers and I bet tomatoes tomorrow. 

Gosh we just may spend the weekend canning again - wonder what we'll can? 

Anyone have a yummy spaghetti sauce recipe they want to share? :)

Hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday and be sure to stop over to Bugaboo Stamps - today IS Freebie Friday!

Ice-Cream-A-Licious!

Yep more Penguins and this one is Ice-Cream-A-licious!

And because today is Thursday, that means it's an OBG day at Bugaboo Stamps!!

Can you tell I'm just LOVIN' Poppi the Penguin?  And that I'm really havin' fun makin' my own paper?!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Poppi Penguin"

Papers - Coredinations & 'tover cardstock from my stash & Min Made Ice Cream Cone Paper

Technique - Embossing and Making my Own Paper (see Tutorial HERE)

Extra STUFF - Ribbon, Studio G Ice Cream Stamp, Copics for coloring, Stickles and of course, my Googley Eyes

Super CUTE, huh??

Gosh, what will I do once all the summer penguins have been colored?  Wonder if we'll see a fall or winter version of the penguins?!

Thanks for stoppin by today!  Be sure to swing over to Shelly's Images too - Audrey has been drivin' the bus this week and today is an awesome new Terrifically Thrilling Thursday Challenge!  Things have been a bit sketchy over there, so be sure to stop by and see exactly how things have turned out!

More than my Fair Share...

Gosh it seems like lately I've been making more than my fair-share of Sympathy cards.

I always find making these cards tough - I'm not sure if it's because my creativity turns itself off because it KNOWS WHY we're making the card (great how I talk about US, huh?), or if it's just because I don't know the 'RIGHT' elements for a sympathy card.......

In anycase, I'm very pleased with how this turned out. 

For some reason I really love the look of the dry embossing for these types of cards.

Image - Studio G Butterfly; Miscellaneous Thinking of You stamp

Papers - Bazzill Purple & Green, Black Standard Cardstock and Kraft Card Base

Techniques - Heat Embossing on Sentiment & Dry Embossing using Cuttlebug and embossing folder

Extra STUFF - Nestie frame for Thinking of you, Dew Drop Metallic Purple Ink, Versamark Ink, Bling, Ribbon, Stickles and White Embossing Powder

Be sure to pop over to Shelly's Images today - Audrey has a fabulous tutorial this wonderful Tuesday!

Well, off to see what you all have been up to lately! :)

CANNED!

This is what the crazy amount of beans we had looks like after being canned....

We had so much fun doing this yesterday.  While it did take some time (b/c we had to pressure cook the beans), we still had a great time.  Yep, it was our Anniversary, but hey, as long as I got to spend the day with my wonderfull hubby, it didn't matter what we did!

We also blanched, julienned and froze our green peppers.  Now I'm trying to figure out what we'll can next......hmmmm spaghetti sauce sounds good.  Thank goodness we'll be raiding my mom's canning supplies this weekend (and likely picking MORE beans.....she was already picking MORE beans on Sunday after all we picked on Saturday - AMAZING!)  Didn't want to bore you with photos of the inside of our storage freezer looking at a bunch of frosted and frozen ziplock bags of green peppers.  :)

I thought I'd share a quick Graduation card I put together for a family friend whose daughter graduated this spring.  We missed her graduation party a few weekends ago when Dad was in the hospital.  DOH!

Image - Studio G stamps

Papers - White Cardstock, Black Cardstock & some Silver/Black Swirly Cardstock I've had FOR-EVA!

Techniques - Heat Embossing & Dry Embossing (Guess it was an embossing kind of card)

Extra STUFF - Silver Embossing Powder and Scor-Pal for embossed lines at top and bottom of card

I think this is one of the most simple cards I've made in I couldn't tell you HOW LONG! 

Totally love the way it turned out though!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

If you have a minute - be sure to pop over to Shelly's Images and check out what the design team has created for this weeks Marvelous Monday Release!  For today only you get the release for a DISCOUNT!  AND WHO DOESN'T LOVE A DISCOUNT?!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left such lovely comments yesterday. 

I'm trying to get back into my blog visiting/commenting routine again (I've missed all the wonderful things you're creating).  :)

7 Years Ago Today...

I married by Best Friend and Love of My Life!

While we didn't have power, it rained, a ring was lost BUT found - everything went off without a hitch! 

It was one of the most wonderful days of our lives together and I look forward to more wonderful days to come!

Happy Anniversary My Love!

Can you say VEGGIES?!

So we spent the day at the farm working on the deck. 

Stair railings were a success and so was veggie HARVESTING!!!

This isn't even all of what we picked.  Green beans alone I think we have 3-4 POUNDS.  Peppers, Holy WOW, I think 20 GREEN PEPPERS ALONE.  I didn't even bother counting the Banana Peppers!

So, tomorrow to celebrate our 7th Anniversary, we'll be trying our hand at canning green beans and freezing peppers!!  :)  We can't wait for the tomatoes to really start coming so we can start making Skeddie (spaghetti) sauce.  My mom in law got us this great book called "Complete Book of Home Preserving" which is just absolutely AMAZING with recipes and step by step instructions.  WOW!  Heck, once apple season starts here in Michigan, I'm going to be canning apple sauce AND apple pie filling too!! :) 

Gosh, they may have created a canning monster!!!

Just thought I'd share our little slice of veggie heaven with you!  :)

A little COOL off on a HOT Summer day!

I'm not sure about WHERE you're at or WHAT the TEMPERATURE is like, but this week in Michigan, WHEW, can you say HOT enough to FRY an EGG on the sidewalk?

500% humidity

And of course, as our standard weekends go when we go to the farm to work on projects, it's supposed to be Egg-Fryin Hot today as well.

Today we've got deck railings on the steps to finish and a crazy amount of pole beans to pick from the Bean Volcano.  Roma tomatoes and peppers are also goin' like crazy too, so those items will be added to the bushel of veggies.

So with those tank top wringin' projects on the very near horizon, I thought I'd share this yummy little COOL card with you!

Images - Bugaboo Stamps (Poppi Penguin &; Popcicles)

Paper - Coredinations & Cardstock.  Popcicle paper was personally made by me :)  If you'd like to check out the tutorial I shared this week on Shelly's Images, you can see it HERE

Techniques - Embossing (sizzix dot embossing folder); Copics

Extra STUFF - Glaze on large popcicle and penguin popcicle, Yummy - Studio G Stamp; Colorbox Orange Ink; Googley Eyes (OF COURSE) and Ribbon from the stash.

I hope you're enjoying your weekend thus far - trying to stay cool.

Hopefully I'll have more to share tomorrow - likely canned green beans.  LOL

Terrifically Thrilling Thursday Challenge

Happy Thursday!  The great thing, we're JUST ABOUT TO FRIDAY!  That makes me want to spring into a dance....however after the last week I'm too darn tired to do much dancing.

Things with dad are going okay - thank you all for asking - a little update for those of you that haven't gotten the update . . . . . . surgery happened, KIND OF......the gallbladder was removed but apparently because of some scar tissue around the stomach and a MAIN Artery sandwiched between the back of the stomach & the scar tissue, the esophagectomy DIDN'T happen.  So, for now, dad is recovering and actually coming home today after the latest 8 day stint in the hospital.  Moving forward, we're still unsure of the plan, but surgery from here on out is not an option.  Only treatments left should his oncologist decide he needs more is radiation and chemo.  We pray that what he's had has done the trick and his cancer is gone.

Thank you ALL for your prayers, support and concern.  We're so blessed to have friends and family like you that care!  We continue to take one day at a time at this point, but we're all working toward a trip to ARUBA once dad has recovered.  I think we could ALL use a little drink with an umbrella in it.

Speaking of drinks with umbrellas, the reason for this post (thanks for going along with the scheduled posts this past week too - THANK GOD for scheduled posts!!).

Today is our Terrifically Thriling Thursday Challenge over at Shelly's Images and guess what - I'm STILL drivin' the BOAT (or BUS for those of you sending your kiddos back to school!) 

We all need a challenge and if your BIG challenge this week was getting those kiddos back into the swing of things to go to school - good for you!  NOW you DESERVE a scrappy fun challenge that doesn't involve waking crabby up, nagging crabby to get dressed, yelling at crabby that s/he's going to miss the bus if they don't get their booty in gear. 

This challenge is simple and it doesn't do ANY whining about not wanting to go back to school.  :)

So, be sure to pop over and join us this week - you could WIN an image of your choice from Shelly's Images and hey, who doesn't need a "HAPPY HOUR" after dealing with kids that still want to enjoy summer. 

Here's just a little sample to wet your whistle! 

And if you missed this past Tuesday Tutorial (which involved making your own paper - cherry paper shown on this project), click on over and take a look at that tutorial.  :)

Sorry for the funky image too - realized when posting the photo that I could have probably let the glaze on the drink dry a little more before setting the card up and taking a photo......will try & photograph tonight again when I get home - Yep, OUTTA Practice and no patience lately!  LOL

Image - Shelly's Images "HAPPY HOUR - PINEAPPLE"

Paper - Coredinations Brown, Green and Pink

Technique - Cherry Paper made digitally with Shelly's Images Image - See HERE for Tutorial

Magic Colored Pencil Technique

Embossing - Cuttlebug embossing folder (background)

Extra STUFF - Glaze for dimension on cherries & beverage, Ribbon from my stash, Stickles, Sentiment from Hero Arts (I think) stamp, BLING, Blue Dew Drop Ink & Studio G stamp on cherry paper

Thanks so much for stopping by today and be sure to pop over to Shelly's Image and join us for this week's Challenge!

Looking forward to checking in with you all tomorrow!

Tuesday Tutorial at Shelly's Images

Happy Tuesday from Shelly's Images - be sure to swing by today for a quick little tutorial to make some super neat AH HA printed paper of your own! 

Pop on over to Shelly's Images for a step by step tutorial on how to make your own PERFECT PRINTED PAPER.
AND, if you visit on Thursday for our TTT Challenge, you'll get to see the finished product. ;o)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

Scrap U

Summer is drawing to a close. It's time again to buy those backpacks and pencil cases. Stores have all the latest back to school fashions and aisles full of school supplies. Yes, Fall is right around the corner and school is about to start again for another year. But, that doesn't have to be the end of our scrappy summer fun! No, Scrap-Friendzy is getting ready to open our doors to our first ever Scrap University! Enrollment will soon be open for all to attend Scrap U, where you will want to come to educate yourself in every scrappy way possible!

Beginning September 1st, Scrap U will be offering classes (challenges) in every subject that will also include lessons (tutorials) for you to learn. There will also be lots of extra credit assignments and after school activities that will not only keep you busy, but will also help you make the grade. At the end of September, grades will be calculated and we will decide who our class Valedictorian will be. Our Valedictorian will be the winner of................!!!!

So gather all your scrappy school supplies and get ready to register at Scrap U, the University where all the Scrappy Girlz go! 

Be sure to join us - It's school that you WON'T want to MISS!!

Gone Fishin'

Well, not really, but "Gone Fishin" sounded lots better than "Sitting in a stark white hospital, looking for things to do, pacing the hallways and drinking bad coffee while waiting for the surgeons to come out and tell us everything is A-OKAY with dad".

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!

Fruits & Veggies at Camp-Friendzy!

Camp is still going on at Scrap-Friendzy.  We're down to our last challenge this week to see who the last camper standing is.  What amazing projects these ladies have created!!

While everyone is working on the big challenge, we have a few smaller ones that we throw at everyone and well, today was my day to add a BONUS Challenge into the mix.  And guess what?!  It involves some of my favorite things right now - Home Grown Fruits & Veggies!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Watermelon this time of the year (kind of like I won't eat fresh apples any time other than Fall - yah, weird I know).  So, with today's challenge, everyone has been challenged to do a layout inspired from their favorite fruits & veggies. . . . .

Here is my sweet layout of my adorable niece for her album - can you guess what my fruit or veggie is?

If you guessed WATERMELON, you're RIGHT ON TARGET!! :)

Page Title - "I THINK...Therefore I Am!"

Photo - My adorable niece

Papers - Prima

Flower - Prima

Extra STUFF - Chipboard swirls, Tim Holtz Crackle Paint, Pool & Lettuce Paint, Ribbon & Tulle from my stash, Thickers & MM letters for title, Nesties for the frame.

Be sure to pop over to Scrap-Friendzy and join us for some super fun challenges. 

While Camp is just about over, you won't believe what AWESOME things we have up our sleeve for September!!!!

Monday, Monday

Happy Monday!  What a great weekend!  Lots of projects worked on, lots of projects completed, both creatively and around the house.

My wonderfully hubby and I had a movie night last night, if you haven't seen "The Blind Side", even if you don't like football, this movie is a MUST SEE.  We've had it at home, waiting to be watched since Easter (yah, we've had the movie a while).  Definitely a great movie.

While we were able to get several projects done this weekend of course, creatively, none of what I completed can be shown quite yet - of course. 

I can share a little tomorrow so stay turned.  :)

This week is kind of a LONG short week for us.  Wednesday is dad's surgery, so time this week will be spent at the hospital with family.

Of course, because I don't sit well, I've got a bag full of things to do - felted slippers, yarn for a new knitted bear, yarn to teach myself to crochet those cute little flowers for layouts and cards and hopefully some images too to do a little coloring on :)  So, hopefully we have a few projects to share after this week's hitaus.

I do want to share a quick photo with you.

The Title - "BEAN VOLCANO"

While we don't have any beans YET, with the amount of flowers we have, we're gonna have beans comin' out of our EARS soon!  These bean plants are nearly 4 foot tall.

We're already making our list for NEXT YEAR'S garden!

Oh, and before I forget, today is Marvelous Monday over at Shelly's Images - a great new image is being highlighted today - ROUND UP!  Swing by and take a look!

Hoping you have a terrific Monday!!