Sunday, November 30

More Christmas Cards

Did a couple of cards this morning and thought I'd share them...

I made the "Merry Snowman" card with a bunch of scraps. The second one... is a "Fold Out Christmas Tree" - which I found on YouTube... it's super easy. Mine is a bit different... but you if you like it... you should check it out!

Hope your holiday weekend was great.

Tuesday, November 25

2 Cards & Rainee's Card for Papa!

After I re-organized my scrap room, Rainee and I did a couple of cards... I needed to to a Thanksgiving card for Rainee's teacher, then I made a card just for fun... and Rainee wanted to do one also... just like mommy's! So, this time I thought I'd show you my version and Rainee's... it's too darn cute. She made her card for her papa for Christmas.... She had way too much fun with the brads... and if there was one more space on the gingerbread man... she would have put more on... I couldn't tell her less is more... she wanted them all!!!





















Monday, November 24

This is classic...MOM!

My friend Vicki sent me an email with the greatest video attached... this is classic MOM! The moment I saw it I couldn't stop giggling... I remembered my mom... and yet even somewhat scarier - doing exactly what my mom did... even when I said I wouldn't become my mom!!!

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I thought I'd share this with you... It may be about 'mom', but it reminded me of being thankful and having family. I'm thankful for my family... daughter, husband, sisters, brother, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, dad and mom... enjoy your family this Thanksgiving!

So, whether your a mom or not... I hope this makes you giggle!

Happy Thanksgiving!


Mom's Song from Patty on Vimeo.

Holiday Cards & My Full Weekend!

While working on the next video, I took some time to do a couple holiday cards. I think one of my favorite color combinations is pink and green... so I just had to try somthing. I like the pink Christmas tree... something a little different! It's something I've been wanting to do... I also thought I'd try out the snowflakes from our EverydayGive-Away... and boy are they are fun! With all the glitter on them I was able to give a few some dimension with foam tape! Much better than having them all flat.

My weekend? My weekend was full!!! I made chili, started getting ready for Thanksgiving at my house, took Rainee to the park, went the movies to see "Bolt", took Champ for a walk, went grocery shopping, worked on a couple cards and I worked on the next video... I really didn't get a chance to relax!

How about your weekend??? Did you relax? Get some Christmas shopping done? Go to a movie? What did you do? Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Where are you going or are you staying home?


Well, if I want the next video to be out this week...
I'd better get cracking...

Have a lovely day!

Wednesday, November 19

Check Out Jen's Give-Away

My friend, Jen, at Jencropable has another great give-away on her blog... you just might want to check it out! She's drawing the winner on Friday, so you still have time to put your name in the hat. Go on... check out her Tuesday blog give-away! And while you're there you'll want to check out her fabulous photos and scrapbook layouts!

By the way, I won her last give-away... and Jen, I want to say Thank you!!! Very exciting!!!

Christmas Toy Catalog or Dooney and Burke

I don't know about you, but we've been getting the Christmas toy catalogs in the mail almost everyday... and Rainee is having blast with them!! She can sit for hours looking at all the toys, and telling me what to to put on her Santa list.

Watching her reminded me of when I was a kid, and the Sears Christmas Catalog would come in the mail - my siblings and I would goggle over it for days and weeks before Christmas... it's a memory I'd forgotten, but one so vivid. So when I saw Rainee doing the exact same thing... I started thinking...

Even as an adult I indulge in a few catalogs - just yesterday I was treating myself to the possibility of a new Dooney & Burke Handbag... not that it will happen, but just reveling the possibility... then practicality set in... but it still put that same smile on my face, just like the toy catalog did for Rainee.

Isn't it delightful, how something can trigger a sweet memory of your childhood and make you smile. Isn't it amazing that through the generations, we all do the same thing... the catalogs may have changed along with the toys, but we all indulge in the same things... the sweet, simple joys of wishing...

What are you wishing for this Christmas - even it the possibility is unlikely... what is your wish?

Tuesday, November 18

MIni Book

The Journey of My Everyday Life ~ This is the mini book I did for the Scrapbook Etc. Challenge & Contest... I was looking at it last night and realized I never actually posted the book... AND what got me thinking about it was I got a huge package in the mail yesterday... it was my contest prize package!!! whoo hooo!!! It was filled with so many goodies I can't wait to get started using them. Anyway, the mini book is bits and pieces of my life, but I loved how it turned out.

Let's see, what else is going on... I had a rough night last night - and didn't get much sleep... Rainee is sick. She woke up Saturday night with a bit of a cold, and was feeling better yesterday - but I think she over did it yesterday (she was feeling better) and last night it really hit her... so I'm
tired and will be taking the day to rest with her.

Today... enjoy your everyday moments. Whatever it is... a cup of coffee with a friend, taking your kids to storytime, taking your dog for a walk, enjoy the quiet moments and the ones that drive you crazy... because the everyday journey of your life goes by much too quickly!

So, whatever your day brings... Enjoy it!

Monday, November 17

"Joyful Stamper" turns 10,000!!!

Joyful Stamper.... Maria has 10,000 hits...

Go to Maria's blog, Joyful Stamper, if you have not been there... Maria is a paper crafter and sister in Christ. Her blog is great with a cup of coffee!

Because she has hit the 10,000 mark, she has some "candy", so you might just want to check it out. You'll be glad you did... not only will you find this candy, but you'll find card inspirations... go on check it out click here for CANDY

Sunday, November 16

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread


Last night I had my friends over for a scrap night and it was a lot of fun! Jane brought her daughter, Nicole, so Rainee had fun playing and doing crafts with her. Everyone got something done and before the night was done, everyone decided to make the the gingerbread card... all in all it was a great time!!!

Everyone wanted my
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread recipe and a few of you wanted it here on my blog so I thought the easiest way to do it is to post it!!! I hope you like it as much as my friends did... enjoy!









Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
 

4 eggs 
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups canned unsweetened pumpkin
1 cup applesauce
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degree C)
  2. Grease bunt pan (or two ~ 8" x 4" x 2" bread pans)
  3. Combine eggs, sugar, pumpkin and applesauce in a large bowl and thoroughly blend.
  4. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, clove, salt and nutmeg. Then add into pumpkin mixture.
  5. Fold in chocolate chips, then fold in nuts (if desired)
  6. Pour into greased pan(s)
  7. Bake for ~ 70-80 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean
  8. Remove pans from the oven and allow to cool for ~ 10 minutes
  9. Remove bread from pan and cool on wire racks.

Friday, November 14

Santa's List


Every year we do a "Santa's List" and this year is not exception. So when Rainee found the toy catalogs that were sent in the mail... she asked me can I put in on my list? And realised we still had to make our list for Santa...

So before it gets filled with all her wants, I thought I'd show it to you because once I start putting her most favorite things on it - she won't let anyone touch it again...

except Santa - of course!

I'm having my friends from my 'work' come over tomorrow to scrapbook and I have a ton of things to do to get ready... and of course Rainee and I will be baking one of her favorites -
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread... I can smell it now, yum!!!
I can't wait to dig in...

If my day goes according to plan I should have time to finish Rainee's "Naughty or Nice" list... I'll tell you about that when I post it... Never done one before... so should be interesting!

Anyway, I need to get started on my day...Yeah, it's Friday -
I hope yours is a great one!





Wednesday, November 12

Gingerbread Card & Pin

Since I haven't posted a video in awhile I thought it would be fun to also do a Holiday Card along with the Pumpkin Patch Video...

These gingerbread men pins are something I've done for years... So, when I started thinking about doing them again this year my mind went on overdrive to see how I could incorporate them into a card... and this is what I came up with!!!

My thoughts were to put these cute little gingerbread men on a plate... for Santa! So here is my interpretation of it! And I think they turned out just "YUMMY"... tee hee!!

So instead of waiting I thought I'd share my "Gingerbread Man Card & Pin" video with you all right away!!! I hope you like it as much as I do and you'll try making some for someone this holiday season. If you do please let me know how it turns out… and send me links to your pics!

Happy Holidays.











I love this gingerbread stamp, I had it since 1993... they don't make it anymore but if you go to either ebay and type in gingerbread man, or go to this stamp artists website (www.printworkscollection.com)... you might just find something you like...
Paper: DCWV, Stamp: Annette Allen Watkins (www.printworkscollection.com), Chalk Pencil: Schwan/Stabilo, Color Pencils: Staedtler Watercolor Pencils, Blender:Go to your local art store, they will have it, Ink: Ranger, Tag: Teresa Collins, Fingernail Polish: Target, Circle Cutter: EK Sucess, Adhesives: Tombow, Xyron

Monday, November 10

Pumpkin Patch Layout

I know it's been a bit since I posted a video, but I've had a hard time getting use to being home and I'm trying to figure out a schedule that will work - doing everything I want and need to do. So, I'm sorry I'm a bit behind, but everyday life can sometimes get away from you.

This layout was done with last years Pumpkin Patch photos. Yes, I'm behind on my scraping, but hoping to get more done now that I'm home. Don't know if it will happen... just keep hoping!

I love these photos of Rainee... she looks forward to going to the PP every year... it's a tradition... She loves riding in the wagons, picking the perfect pumpkin that's just right for her. Then we enjoy all the fun things there are to do... horsey rides, feeding the goats, rabbits, pigs and ducks. And then of course there is the BIG BOUNCERS... she always has a blast!!!! We don't have much a fall here in California... no beautiful fall leaves, and sometimes it takes awhile for it to even get that nice crispness in the air... so the pumpkin patch is generally our big fall outing as a family. Definetely something to look forward to!

Hope you have a wonderful fall season. That you take time to enjoy the leaves, the pumpkins and the crisp weather.

Happy Fall!

EverydayGive-Away For Pumpkin Patch Video!!

I was on the hunt for some fun holiday give-aways... and I'm so excited about what I found. I actually had to buy myself some of everything!! I hope you like it as much as I do... and remember I always add something special in the give-away box... ya just never know what you'll get!

• Colorbok Holiday Paper Pack
(8-Patterned Paper, 36 Stickers, 18 Cardstock
Punchouts, 26 Red Chipboard Letters,
2 Layered Stickers)
• Recollections Santa Sticker
• Making Memories Red Glitter
Chipboard Letters
• Me & My Big Ideas Snowflakes
• Design Original Postage Stamp Letter Stickers
• Snowflake - Wood Mounted Stamp
PLUS Holiday Surprises

Good Luck! Have a fabulous day!!!

P.S. There will only be one more EverydayGive-Away for 2008, then we're going to start fresh with the new year... more videos, some classes, challenges, new ideas and of course EverydayGive-Aways!

EverydayGive-Away Winner!!

Congratulations to
Frogs-n-Butterflies

Please email us your address and we'll get your
EverydayGive-Away mailed out to you!!!

Congratulations!!!

Jessica Srauge Class!

You HAVE to check this out. Jessica Sprauge Jessicaabovesm1 is this super chick who has an amazing digital scrapbook site w/ tons of insight and education. She is offering a FREE week-long online class called: "Stories in Hand" which will give you more insight into your scrapbooking and journaling... I'm in on this one, and you should do it too! So check it out…if you haven't already!

Friday, November 7

Breakfast at Tiffany's


My Birthday... it's started with my husband giving me breakfast in bed & my present... a beautiful necklace from Tiffany's!!!

He had a theme... Breakfast At Tiffany's. How very sweet.

And here I was thinking I was going to get a new camera case... but this was a huge surprise... I love it! I'm very lucky. I know there are times when he can be difficult, but then who isn't... when he does things like this it reminds me of how much he loves me and how blessed I am.

Don't know what else is in store for the month, but I'm sure whatever it is... it will be great!

I love you, Steve.

Latest Rainee & Champ Photos


When Champ came in for the night, he was laying under the table and there was Rainee snuggled up too... it was too cute, I had to take photo!!!

Sunday, November 2

Fall/Thanksgiving Cards, Etc.....

So.... I'm having an interesting time trying to get anything done... My husband's work hours have been cut, so he's home more and it's hard doing literally anything when he's around... I've been struggling with finding time to do any scrappy things! Rainee is outside with Champ... and she wants me there... so between, Steve, Rainee, Champ - and the normal household stuff and cooking... I haven't had much time... I really need to figure out how to manage things better... I did decided to get up as if 'I was going to work'... and continue with my early mornings so I will be able to get to my scrapping, emails, blog... and such done!

So since that decision, I managed to do a couple cards... Thanksgiving/Fall... and I'm working on the next video and should be out soon... although I do have a bit more time, I still need to figure out the whole time thing and really get a schedule down, so I don't feel like I've wasted a whole day!

Have a wonderful day!
I know I will.... it's my birthday! Don't know what the plan is for the day, except Steve going to work... but then the whole month of November is mine, and he has plenty of time to do things... I know that sounds funny, but I really do celebrate the whole month... between getting together with family and friends it generally does last the whole month... so with Steve... I've started it with him from the get go letting him know the whole month of November is MINE!!! And would you believe... he does it... whoo hooo!!! November is mine.... Happy Birthday to me!