Did you Ever???

Think you could be SICK of chocolate???

Well, I think I'm JUST about there!!  =)  Believe it or not!

This year I've been selling homemade chocolates and have made about 30 pounds of chocolate for clients, businesses, church groups and more.  My mom's store too has been an awesome source of clients as well as some of the folks I work with!!  WOW!  Who would have thought it would take off this year like it did!

This year my new creation was the White Peppermint Chocolate Covered Pretzels - can you say FABULOUS?!?!

Definitely my hottest seller!

I thought I'd share with you one of the last orders I had to finish up (before I started making chocolate for family and friends.  My brother in law was VERY happy to see "A Bunch of Everything" in his large metal tin).

These were for one of my Co-workers for her kids teachers gifts - cute huh?? 

The tags were created using MS Publisher, The Bells & Bow Digi image from Bugaboo Stamps, Cuttlebug, Nesties and Stickles.  The bows were created using a terrific metallic gold/silver mesh ribbon I picked up at M's (must pick up more of this after Christmas!!!)

Last weekend my hubby and I whipped up Chocolate Covered Cherries & Turtle and watched hours of Christmas movies!

Maybe next year I'll get a head start and sell them at my Etsy store too!

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

Sweet Anything But A Card

It's Monday today (I'm hearing the collective GROAN that it's Monday).

Yep, I haven't had enough caffeine either this morning!

However Monday is a good day - It means were just a few short hours away from a New Release Tuesday at Bugaboo Stamps AND that today is Anything But a Card Day.

And since today is the last ABC Monday before Valentine's Day, I'm going to share with you a SWEET Anytyhing But a Card project I made.

I took the plastic container my Mango Green Tea Crystal Light mixes came in - I gave up Mt. Dew a month ago today, so this is my new vice.

The container was way too cute to NOT repurpose - so here we go -

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Stella's Calendar Months - Fabruary"

Papers - Recollections, Bazzill & Bazzill
Coloring - Copics

Tools - Nestie, EK Success Punch & MS Heart Punch

Extra STUFF - Bling, Stickles, Doodling and Heaat Wire Ribbon from Michaels
We doesn't love a cute container with crabby ole' Stella on it (and filled with yummy gourmet chocolates?!)
My Momma, that's who! :)
Be sure to visit the Bugaboo Store tomorrow - New Release you won't want to miss.  :)

Hugs & Happy Days!

This little Chocolate filled piece of heaven has been entered into the following challenges -
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Bling Bling

Catch the Bug - Anything Goes
C.R.A.F.T. / Trimmies - Diecuts
Craft us Crazy - Anything Goes
OSAAT - Do it with a Digi
Craft us Crazy - Anything Goes
ECP - Love

Creative Craft World - Love
Simon Says Stamp - Love
Paper Crafting Journey - Love
Allsorts - Love
Pennys - Hearts a Flutter
Raise The Bar - Hearts
Simply Create - Hearts

POTS POTS & More POTS!

This is just a quick photo of the terra cotta pots I've been working on for my herb garden. 

Nothing too exciting YET, but once I get them planted and hung on the deck - can you say FABULOUS?!

Because everything at our house is TROPICAL, our hanging pots needed to follow the same suit!  We both LOVE bright colors that remind us of our trips to the Caribbean & Tropics.

I used OUTDOOR paint (in the 2 oz. bottles) that you can find in JoAnn.  It's the Patio Paint Brand.  The turquoise is "BAHAMA BREEZE", the magenta is "FUSCHIA" and the Green (which took about 100 coats to cover the orange terra cotta color) is "BRIGHT LIME GREEN".

We both LOVE the way the colors turned out (Hope you don't mind the photo, I've been playing with the camera a bit).

The pots are the medium size terra cotta pots you can get at Joann - They were originally $1.99 each, but I picked them up on sale (I LOVE SALES!!).

We'll have 2 of each color on the deck.  If we have a bit more space, I think we'll add a bright orange into the mix.  Anyway, this is what I've been tinkering with.  These will actually be hung on our deck to save up some of the valuable deck space.  These pots will also have all our herbs in them this year.  I absolutely CAN NOT WAIT to get my herbs planted . . . . maybe even this weekend!!

There's nothing like fresh herbs in meals!

I'll be sure to show you the final product once we get them hung on the deck.

I'm not sure if I'll get any tinkering in today or not.  Dad has a procedure at 1 pm today that I'm headed off to, so I'm not sure what time I'll get home.  Of course I've got a bag of waiting room projects with me - 2 new James Patterson books (must finish one before I can start the 9th book in the Women's Club series).  A pair of felted slippers to finish (yep, working on Christmas projects already!) and a new market bag to start.  So, I'm sure SOMETHING will get done while we're waiting.  I'm not a sit and wait kind of person - gotta be doin' SOMETHING!

There are some neat-o challenges I've come across this week too that I'd like to give a try - when was the last time you made a monochromatic project?!

Yah, me too! :)

And even better yet, tomorrow is the TTT Challenge at Shelly's Images that I can't wait to give a try.  Bev's got something FABULOUS up her sleeve that you won't want to miss!!

You still have time to participate in this past week's TTT Challenge that Scrappy gave you - Anything Goes.  You can enter until midnight tonight to be eligible in the weekly free image drawing!

As always, thanks so much for stoppin' by today!  I hope you have a lovely 1/2 way to Friday Day!

Love & Smooches!

Happy 1/2 way to Friday!  I didn't get to post my projects showcasing the February kit yesterday, but wanted to share just how cute they all turned out.  My favorite until I get my new little nieces photo on the layout, is this adorable little 'purse'.  Our niece is she's scheduled to arrive Saturday or Sunday (induction is on Saturday am).  We're all doing the Pink Baby Girl Dance!!

Imagine black & white photo on 5x7 mat of sweet, cuddly, squishy, adorable newborn niece

Adorable, huh?  If you're intrested in this super cute kit, check out Scrap-Friendzy and get your scrappy yumminess before they're gone!!  You can check out a slide show of the fabby stuff the design team put together too!

I wanted to say another quick thank you to everyone who has commented and offered support and prayers.  You don't know how grateful we are for those things.  Unfortunately we didn't get any additional news at today's appointment - dad needs to have a PET scan next, which is scheduled for the 18th and then another consult on the 24th.  We just continue to pray - God has a plan.

Hope you're having a fabulous day - and able to get some crafty stuff done.  I'm off to work on some little tags for the chocolate pretzel my nephew will give to family and friends once his baby sister is born.  We'll be painting more on Saturday when he comes to stay with us on Saturday.

Happy Craftin'!

Min

Viewable Productivity AT LAST!!!

Yikes, I've been a terrible blogger this month!!  Between Christmas Decorating, Cookie Exchanging, Chocolate Making, Christmas Card Making and Shopping, I'm so confused, I don't know if I found my rope or lost my horse! (my mom in law finds some of the funniest sayings!!) 
While the Christmas cards aren't quite finished (My mission is to get them in the mail THURSDAY!!!), and because we did the cookie exchange on Sunday and I made 20 dozen (Yes, 20 dozen) cookie Saturday, I don't have much to show for in way of productivity (except a counter FULL of cookies & home made to be packaged and given away!). :o)
I did however complete a project my mom had left at Thanksgiving.  My mom is super creative and talented, she doesn't scrapbook, but she sews and knits like nobody's business.  After all the projects she's seen me do with my trusty Cricut (I think I really need to give it a name), she sees stuff and thinks of what I can do with my Cricut to add to it.
Well, this project was just like that.  She found these fun signs at Tractor Supply and brought them to me for personalization.  They're these neat wooden signs with a 3-D fence, snowman and horse with acutal cloth clothing/saddle.  A great find!
Didn't they turn out cute?? (I did the 'The Kwiatkowskis and The Colbys' part, not the Merry Christmas or Let it Snow).

There were a few others I did, but because they're Christmas gifts, I'll keep those a secret. :o)

Cricut Carts - Storybook Cart & Lyrical Letters

Well, off to work on more Christmas Cards - we only have 1 more day to get them finished before they need to go into the mail!!!

As always, thank you so much for stopping by today!  If your life is anything like mine during the holidays (crazy CRAZY and C-R-A-Z-Y), I understand how time is a valuable commodity. 

I so happy you spent some of your valuable time with me!
Tis the Season to be Jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la! (yep, dusted off the piano music today).

Happy Craftin'!

Min

Silent Night

So, I finally got the necessary ribbon together for the Glass Block I 'almost' finished over the weekend.  Doesn't it just make you crazy when you run out of something just as you're ready to use it?!  DOH!

Cricut - Calligraphy, Christmas Noel & George/ created in Design Studio

Vinly - Light Blue Wall-pops (from Lowe's last winter)

Standard Size Glass Block, frosted with Krylon Frosting paint

Ribbon - Michaels

Bow - The bow is a bit difficult to see - but it's a nice big loopy bow hand created by Moi! :)

I'm so pleased with the way it turned out.  This one will be going to my mom's store this weekend when we see them for sale.

If you're interested in purchasing one for yourself or a holiday gift, please feel free to contact me.

Happy Craftin'!

Min

Ole!

So, because Suz's Entertaining at Home Party's Theme was 'Fiesta', that was the perfect reason to pull out the vinyl and the cricut. Not finding the tie on? Cricut, Vinyl, Fiesta - well have no fear, grab your margarita and join the party!
At the EAH party I hosted in April my mom in law got me this Beverage Server that I absolutely LOVE to use!! For some reason the beverage tastes THAT much better in it! It has a neat wrought iron stand too but I was a bit lazy when I took the picture last night.
Anyway, I haven't had as much time as I would have liked to use my Life's a Beach cart and this was a great canvas for me to use! It's pretty simple but turned out cute!
Didn't this turn out cute?
I cut the geckos at 3" in green vinyl and then created the little sombreros in the pink and orange in design studio. I'll have to save these little guys for our next fiesta party!
Ole!
In honor of Suz's Fiesta party, I have to share the Cilantro Dip recipe that is FABULOUS!! Of course I was camped out right by that dip! I'm not sure if this recipe originated from Amy's Recipe box or Susan's but regardless, it's GOOD STUFF!
Cilantro Dip
1 box pkg of cream cheese
1 medium bunch of cilantro
1 medium tomato
1 small onion (1/2 c. chipped)
6 or so pickled jalapeno rings (1 TBSP chopped)
1 tea. salt
Spend about an hour tediously plucking all of the leaves off of the cilantro bunch. Get frustrated and leave a little stem on there too. Discard stems. Chopped leaves up a little bit. Chop tomato, onion & jalapeno rings into large pieces. Combine all ingredients in food processor or blender. If you have a food processor, you will want to use that. Chop/blend until yogurt consistency.
Don't over blend or it will be soupy.
If you have time, let sit in fridge a bit before serving. Serve with tortilla chips.
Mmmmmmmm! Thanks for the great grub Susan!
Thanks for stopping by to take a look today!
Hope it's a good one!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Flip Floppin Fun!

Happy FRIDAY! Whew, glad to have made it to Friday!
Here's the newest album I'll be teaching a class for on Saturday, August 29 at Live Love Laugh Scrap in Oxford Michigan. Just a cute little album to showcase some of the fun places that were explored over summer vacation.
What the perfect way to showcase those photos, don't you think?
If you're in the area and would like to take the class, reserve your space by calling Live Love Laugh Scrap.

Materials:
Bazzill Solid Cardstock (Orange, Yellow & Teal), White Cardstock, Core-dinations Pink &
Imaginisce double sided paper
Cuttlebug: D'Vine Swirl, Swiss Dots & bubbles
Cricut: Cricut Design Studio, Life's A Beach & Zooballoo
EK Success: Beach Punch
Stickles, Googley Eyes & Ribbon
Off to finish off my Good Friend Challenge card from this week. :o)
Happy Weekend & Happy Craftin'!
Min

Completed Album

As promised, here are the photos of the album I completed the other day - I tried again last night to get some better photos before I delivered the album to it's new owner, but no such luck.

Materials:
Doodlebug Black & White Swirl paper
Dotty Paper (can't remember who makes it for the life of me)
Silver, Blue & Pink Metallic (from M's) & White Cardstock
Cricut - Home Accents, Beyond Birthdays, Lyrical Letters & Wedding Solutions
Design Studio
Cuttlebug - D'vine Swirl
Prima Flower, Ribbon, Metal Heart Clip, Large Brad and Bling from my stash
Lots of Pop Dots too!
All printed items - quotes & poems are computer generated

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Hope you're having a great one!! Happy Craftin'! Min

The Happiest Place On Earth

My favorite little nephew is headed to the Land of Mickey Mouse this weekend so I put together a little 'Disney' bag for him to carry on the plane. I get to make the 'delivery' tomorrow after work to see my favorite boy - I can't wait to see how excited he is. I'm a really bad aunt too, I still had his Easter Basket and wanted to get that to him too - Bad Aunt Min, I know).

Target had these great little canvas bags in their $1 spot - the perfect size for a 3 1/2 year old.

His Uncle Glen and I included this cute little Mickey Card for him, along with a new box of crayons, a Mickey Coloring book and a few other little books, - all very important things every little traveler needs! There's nothing like a new box of crayons and some new coloring books for a plane ride!

The mouse ears on the bag were hand cut based on the Mickey & Friends pattern I cut on the Cricut out of a Fat Quarter and then attached with some Heat & Bond (I'm not much of a sewing diva). You HAVE to have Mouse Ears when you're going to visit Mickey!!
Mouse Ears were cut from the Mickey & Friends Cart at 7"+ (I had to cover up a pre-stamped design on the bag).
The Mickey Card was created in Design Studio and cut with the Cricut. Mickey & his parts were designed at 6". The rectangle part of the card was from George & Basic Shapes & they were welded together.
The Mickey Word was cut at 2" with the shadow as well and is on the inside with a little note to him from Glen & I.
Papers are just cardstock from my stash in your primary Mickey Colors.
I know he'll have a fabulous time - right now he's excited about the plane ride and the water park - ah to be a 3 1/2 year old again!! I can't wait until they get back because I know Colin will have many Mickey stories to tell us and I'm pretty sure Amy (his mommy), Aunt Suz and I will be doing some serious Mickey Scrappin for his Disney Album!!
Happy Craftin' & May All Your Dreams Come True!!

Min

Welcome to Friday's Edition!

Happy May!

Can I tell you how happy I am that it's Friday? It seems like this week was go go go all week. I had an album to get finished for a client (maybe that's why it seemed busy). The album went postal yesterday, woo hoo, but with this crazy weather, I've had a sinus headache since Monday (hence my lack o'posting and crafting....).

Anyway, enough about that - the rain has stopped (we've had that nearly all week too), but April Showers bring a nice sunny May. The weather is gorgeous today - it's a shame to be stuck inside at work. BRING ON THE WEEKEND!! So, here are the photos of the album I just wrapped up. I was kind of flying in the dark on this one - all I knew was that the couple was having a baby soon. What do you think? Did I do okay keeping it not too girly or not too boyish? I'm pretty pleased with the final product.

(Sorry for the dark photos - like I said, it's been raining all week.....)

Materials: We R Memory Keepers White Out Explorer Line, mixed & matched
Cricut: Accent Essentials, All Mixed Up, New Arrival, Zooballoo
Cuttlebug Embossing: Floral Screen, Distressed Stripes
Studio G Stamps
Msicellaneous: Googley Eyes - Joann's, Quotes & Poems - computer generated, Rhinestone Hearts & Dew Drops from Stash, Prima Flowers, Buttons & Brads from stash
Tonight I need to finish knitting a baby blanket for a baby shower tomorrow - nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh? Hopefully I can post a photo tomorrow.

Happy Craftin' and have a wonderful weekend!

Min

Heart Shaped World

This week has been busy busy working to complete projects for clients. I wanted to share this Heart Shaped Bridal Shower Gift I finished last night.

Materials:

Papers - Basic Grey 'Bittersweet' Collection (I've been dying to use this paper!), Metallic silver Cardstock from my stash, textured white specility paper from my stash

Cricut - Home Accents, Wedding Solutions & Accent Essentials

Extras - Computer generated quotes and poems, Heidi Swapp Flower, Miscellaneous Flowers, Love Brad from stash, Miscellaneous sized rhinestones from M's, pop dots and Miscellaneous ribbon from J's.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. I'm hopeful to get a few cards done tonight & tomorrow to post.

Saturday I'll be teaching the Flower Chipboard Album Class at Live Laugh Love Scrap in Oxford. If you're in the area and want to create an awesome project, give them a call and you can sign up - spaces are still available.

Happy Craftin' and WELCOME Spring!

Min