Fun Layouts

Here's a couple of fun layouts from our 2006 cruise.

The first is of the martini's we enjoyed before dinner and sometimes after too!



The second illustrates Steve's ability to photograph Kathryn and Dave doing the most interesting things.

Learning To Crochet

A few weeks ago I decided I'd like to branch out into more crafts than just scrapbooking( I still love scrapbooking, I'm just kind of a crafty person!). Then I was in a local craft store that carries scrapbooking and yarn supplies, and found a gorgeous pattern for a pretty crocheted scarf. I know how to knit and have heard that crocheting isn't hard to learn. As the sales staff did assure me that crocheting is indeed easy, I bought the yarn and 2 crochet hooks. Last weekend, I asked my Mom to show me how to crochet. She showed me how to chain, double crochet and make a scallop, all the techniques used in the scarf. It wasn't quite as easy as I thought, getting the hang of how to hold the hook and yarn is the trick I think. Last night I thought I'd better get going on the scarf before I forget what I learned. And, I have the first row of the scarf done, 203 chains. I only ripped it out once!

A Couple of Things I've Been Meaning to Share

The first is a page layout kit I won by commenting on the In A Pinch blog. Judy and Sheri have recently started their layout business and have some gorgeous kit creations as well as great tips on their blog.



The second is a make and take card I created a couple of weeks ago at Younique. I love how it opens up and the matching envelope is darling. I know I'll be scraplifting this card in the future!

Pins and Needles

Here's another card to satisfy two challenges in one.



First at Daring Cardmakers, to create a card with pins or needles. In the package I received from Paper Pesto through DCM, I did receive a pin and have used it to help fasten the vintage ribbon around my card.



And second, over at LilyBean's Paperie this challenge, create a card that includes the following:

1. TAGS! You can create your actual card out of them (see example below), or just include one on your card.

2. ACCORDION style! Your card must have at least 2 folds.

3. Something OLD! Doesn't matter if it's a vintage button, aged sheet music, vintage trim, an old photo, or anything else that is old enough to have been loved and used!



So I designed my card in a tag shape, accordian style and added vintage buttons, vintage ribbon as well as felt flowers, letters, lace and paper flowers. I've left the inside section blank to add a handwritten sentiment.

Tidbit Thursdays

Well, I've been working on my New Year's resolutions of eating more healthfully and going to Curves at least twice a week.

I've not been perfect at going to Curves twice a week(I'm trying though) but I have recently upgraded my membership to include a computer monitoring program that measures strength and effort put forth. It sets goals for you to reach and as you reach them moves your goals up. It also calculates calories burned. And I think it works, I'm definitely working harder. Last night I burned over 300 calories in 30 minutes!

And in trying to incorporate more vegetables into my diet, I tried out a roasted asparagus recipe from the Curves magazine that turned out to be really good.



Roasted Asparagus with Dijon Dressing - Serves 8

1 lb. asparagus
4 T olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1 lemon, juice and zest
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 t dijon mustard
1 tsp. fresh oregano or 1/2 tsp. dried
1 t toasted pine nuts

Preheat broiler to high and place rack about 4 inces from heat. Toss asparagus with 1T oil and 1/4 tsp. salt. Broil asparagus on baking sheet lined with foil for 5 to 7 minutes until it is lightly browned in spots.

In a small bowl, whisk remaining oil, 2 T lemon juice, garlic, mustard, oregano and remaining salt. Set aside.

Sprinkle asparagus with 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, 1/2 tsp. lemon zest and pine nuts. Serve with dijon dressing(I drizzled the dressing over the hot asparagus).


And on a completely different topic, I was blown away by David Cook's version of Billie Jean on American Idol this week. If you haven't seen it, do watch.

Flowers That Bloom

I decided to create a card to satisfy two challenges in one, I followed sketch number 57 on CPS then also met the DCM midweek dare of making flowers to use on my card.

And as an added bonus, I received the package that I won from Paper Pesto through DCM this week, so used some of the lovely products received to create my card.



I used Quickutz to create the flowers the edges of which I then inked and curled.



And a closer view.

Green Salad with Asparagus, Oranges and Red Onion

Yesterday I made a new salad for Easter dinner and since I've been craving spring, I used a recipe I found on Epicurious featuring asparagus.

It turned out well and everyone, including the kids, seemed to like it. The presentation is quite unique and since blood oranges were in the store, I used them to give a more unusual look.

Here's the recipe:

For dressing
2/3 cup regular or low-fat mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons olive oil (preferably extra-virgin)
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

For salad
24 asparagus spears, trimmed
4 oranges
12 cups mixed baby greens
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

Make dressing:
Whisk all ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Chill until cold.

Make salad:
Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer asparagus to bowl of ice water to cool. Drain.

Cut peel and white pith from oranges. Using small sharp knife, cut between membranes to release segments. (Dressing, asparagus and orange segments can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately; chill.)

Arrange asparagus spears in sun burst pattern on platter. Place orange segments between asparagus spears. Mound greens in center of platter. Sprinkle salad with basil and tarragon. Top with red onion slices. Drizzle some dressing over. Pass remaining dressing separately.

Servings: Serves 8.

Easter 2008

Here's some photos from today's Easter celebrations:

An egg waiting to be found!



Cupcakes that Brianne made packed up to take to Sherry's for the Annual Outdoor Egg Hunt.



A beautiful centrepiece my sister made for her table.



Some of the almost 200 eggs hidden outdoors.








On the hunt!









Success!



Some views of the ravine behind my sister's home.

Happy Easter!

Wishing you a very Happy Easter and lots of chocolate eggs!

The Rabbit Hunt

Well, as suggested over at Country Cottage Chic, I went on a rabbit hunt through my home and here's the bunnies I found:

These two bunnies followed me home recently.



Some Fitz and Floyd bunnies







Some dollar store bunny candy holders.



Some bunnies I made in ceramics years ago and bunnies in an arrangement my Mom made with the girls.



A bunny and her bunny babies my sister gave to one of the girls.






And a bunny pillow that I picked up at a craft show yesterday, I especially like the sentiment!

Its All In The Game

Todays DCM dare is to use a game piece on your card.

I settled on using the Ace of Hearts from a deck of cards and creating a game night invitation.

I used the mesh cuttlebug template to create a textured base, then leftover scraps of Scenic Route paper, a few stars, some chipboard and the Ace of Hearts of course!

Easter Sour Cream Containers

This is my last Easter craft idea for the season, I need to get back to my usual scrapbooking, not mention cleaning, laundry, etc.

Anyway, these treat containers are quite easily made and while there are instructions available on the web, I thought I'd post my version.



Supplies needed are: paper(a 12 by 12 piece would make 4 containers), crimper, double sided tape and treats( oh and a trimmer or scissors).

Cut paper into a 6 by 6 square.



Adhere sides of paper together using double sided tape to form a cylinder.


Adhere one end of the cylinder together using double sided tape. I tried to make sure my long seam would be in the middle of my container.



Then carefully insert this end into crimper to seal it and crimp about 3 to 4 lines.



Fill with treats or other trinkets.



Then seal the open end with double sided tape being sure to turn container so that when you look at it from the front the ends run in opposite directions or form a 'T'.



And that's it, they're done! You can add other trim and ribbon as desired although this Rusty Pickle paper is so nice I'm not covering it up!

A Couple More Easter Projects

Brittany and I created these eggs this morning from styrofoam eggs. The original idea I had didn't work, so when I saw this idea on the Queen and Co blog, I knew that was the one for us.



A little paint, some adhesive felt, flowers and brads they're done.



They look cute tucked in this basket.



Then I had found some felt bunnies on clothespins at the dollar store and created some cute placecards using leftover scraps of Paper Salon paper. For a bit of whimsy, I added the butterflies(found at the dollar store too) with a bit a wire.





And I have one last quick easter idea that I hope to post about later today.