Big Birthday Wishes - Boy Style

I had a really easy time yesterday morning putting together this card for a super swell 9-year old friend of mine.

I used a piece of patterned scrapbook paper from Little Yellow Bicycle, along with a distressed striped Cuttlebug embossing folder, a Sizzix star die cut and a new stamp set from Papertrey Ink, "Birthday Bash Sentiments."  Thanks to my sis for buying that one for my birthday!!  

The wonky stitches are from a set I bought years ago from the Kelly Panacci line through Sandylion.  I bought it because I loved the variety of different stitches but I haven't used it until this week when I've picked it up twice.  Go figure!! 

Papertrey August Blog Hop Challenge

Hey guys and welcome to my little blog home!! This is my first time participating in Papertrey's "Blog Hop Challenge" so here we go!!!

For this month's project, I decided to whip out some of my most favorite and yummiest Papertrey patterned papers, along with a few solids.  You simply can't go wrong with any of Papertrey's products....honestly, they are all my favorites.  How about you?

Here's a look at what I created using a plain ole' paper lunch bag:

To begin the body of my owl I grabbed my Dark Chocolate cardstock, and stamped it using my Tin Types background stamp and my Versamark ink pad. 

Next, I cut small strips of random paper from my Bitty Box Basics pad, along with my Dotty Biscotti pad as well as my Bitty Dot Basics pad. I then used my scallop-edged scissors on the ends of each paper strip. After I adhered the rows of paper strips, I rubbed each edge with my Chai ink.

To give my cute owl her face, I used two circle dies along with my Polka Dot Basics II stamp set and my Dot Spot stamp set. I added "eyelashes" using a few silk flowers from my stash.  To finish her eyes, I used a glue dot and attached two large brown buttons.

A piece of Bitty Box Basics paper was cut in a triangle to resemble an owl's beak. I also gave it some dimension using foam tape.

To complete "her" body I used my Papertrey rickrack die, a bit of rustic twine, a button and more Chai ink. I added a sentiment to the bag using a Spellbinders tag die, my Woodgrain background stamp set and the "Picture This" stamp set from Stampin' Up.

I can't wait to fill "her" up with some homemade goodness and surprise someone's day.

I hope you enjoyed my little project!

Yumminess in a Bowl

I made a really easy and really tasty pasta salad the other night.  If you like your pasta salad with a little "kick" then this might just be right up your alley...

I'm calling this "Fresh Market Spicy Pasta Salad" because the original pasta salad we tasted came from a fancy food store called "Fresh Market." They sell grocery items plus fresh fruits and veggies along with tons of prepared items that are good, but at the same time very pricey.

To make this one start out with some cooked angel hair pasta that you have drained and rinsed.  I have found that one-half pound (or half the box) makes plenty, but adjust to your needs.

Next, in another bowl, combine diced tomatoes (2-3) and diced fresh jalepenos (2):

To that add diced onion (1/3 of a medium-sized onion), olive and canola oil (1/4 cup each) and rice vinegar (1/4 cup):

I also added some small cubes of Parmesan cheese because that's what we had on hand. You could also add Asiago cheese and that would be equally as yummy.

To finish up the mixins' I added Italian seasoning (1-2 tsps.), salt and pepper, crushed garlic (3 cloves) and dried parsley.

Add the pasta and toss it all together. 

The first time I made this salad I added fresh basil.  This time I left it out.  I think the basil adds a really nice flavor so if you have it use it....I hope you try it and like it!

Papertrey Scrappy Cards

I decided this month to participate in Papertrey Ink's "Blog Hop" held on the 25th at 8:00 P.M. (EST).  This month's challenge is a fun one.  In observance of "back to school" month the challenge is to alter a brown paper bag.  This will be my first time participating and I'm excited!!

I spent some time yesterday digging out some of my Papertrey paper pads (Bitty Dot, Dotty Biscotti and Bitty Box) along with a few favorite stamp sets to come up with a cute project (at least I think so) and it will makes its reveal on the 25th....but, after that was done, I sat looking at the pretty leftovers and didn't want them to go to waste.  I decided to make a few cards using what was left.

The first one is really simple, using paper scraps, some twine and a few flowers from my stash.  I used a lot of Papertrey's Chai Blend ink on both of these cards.

The stamped sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set I recently purchased at a garage sale.

Next is a similar, but different card using the same scrappy pile:

I also used Papertrey's original ricrack die for the first time.  I love it!!  Bad thing tho, I guess I had the pad configuration wrong on my Big Shot because I actually snapped the end off of my die.  I knew these things could break, but I'd been lucky so far...until yesterday.  At least it didn't snap in the middle of the die.

This was my favorite out of the two.  I just couldn't make two of the same card, for some reason, I had to change it up.  The sentiment on this stamp is also from Stampin' Up. I added dimension on the flower to pop it up a bit. 

I've also decided to go back to my window shots....I'm not a fan of the lighting in my craft room.  See you next time!

Stacks & Stacks

Do you have stacks at your house? By "stacks" I mean, stacks of stuff? Come on, admit me....we ALL do!! Right now these are two stacks I'm looking at:

This is what my nightstand looks like.  As much reading as I've done this summer you would think that my "reading stack" would be a little smaller, but I'm a self-admitted magazine junkie and I love picking up new books here and there.  One day I'll get through them all.

And, this is what my desktop looks like.  Actually, I took this stack and widened it so you could see all of my lovelies.  We found an awesome fabric store this summer while we were on vacation and it wasn't until I was ready to leave that I found out they had a bargain room.....bargain room??? Well, I had to check it out and I was so glad I did.  I ended up finding some cool stuff. 

That's it....I'm actually in the process of finding designated "homes" for my stacks. Feeling the need to de-clutter for some reason.

Oh Henry!

Have you ever eaten an Oh Henry bar? I don't know where I've been all my life, but I have never eaten one, at least not one from a store.

Last week I was browsing through Becky Higgins' blog and browsed through her recipe section. I'm always on the lookout for new and tasty recipes.  She has some really yummy stuff...I've already tried three different things including these bars.

Aside from them being a bit on the sticky side, they were really scrumptious. And, perhaps they should have set up a little better, but I used a natural peanut butter and that might have made a difference.

Have you made anything new in the ktichen lately?

Well....

what can I say? I honestly have never taken such a l-o-n-g blog break, but I did it and I don't regret it. I won't go into all the [somewhat non-exciting] details about why...but it involved a little stress [on my part] and spending a bit more time with my girls. Blogging and uploading pictures [as we all know] takes a lot of time on some days, and a little bit of time on other days.  I just decided that I wanted to eliminate that part of my responsibility list and concentrate on other things.

On a lighter note, I have been doing some fun things this summer and have really enjoyed the "free" time. Here's a peek into what I've been up to...

First up is a cover I made for my iPad [which I LOVE dearly]:

 I used two pieces of Amy Butler fabric that I had leftover from my backsack project. The interior is lined with a coordinating fabric, even though you can't see it.

Unfortunately, I don't remember where I got the instructions, but I do have the measurements if you need them. I love this cover because, not only is it stylish....but the sides are made from a recycled notebook, so they are firm and will keep my baby safe and protected.

Next is another sewing project that I had on my to-do list for a long, long time.

We always use mats at Jazzercise and sometimes they can be a bit dusty, so I bought my own and, well, it needed a stylish bag....this project came from the "One Yard Wonders" book.  Unfortunately, even with my husband's help (because he is the math mastermind) this pattern needed a bit of altering.  Overall, I am very happy with it and my model was excited to pose for the picture.  :)

And now for a bit of randomness:

Hubby's [famous] BBQ Chicken

Lights from the Hilton Hotel lobby

And lastly, a big celebration we enjoyed last week:

My youngest daughter turned 8! We've had a good summer!! How about you?