SFYTT Challenge Spiral Thanks

Well apparently today I got to play in my craft room. After this card I have to clean up the mess I made. LOL. So I have been reading Jen Del Muro's blog i{heart}2stamp since my demo introduced me to blogs last year. This is the first time I have tried one of her sketch challenges.
Here is the sketch:

Here is my card:

Recipe:

Stamps: PTI Spiral Bouquet, Clearly Wordsworth Thanks

Paper: Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink

Ink: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi, Always Artichoke

Accesories: Wild Wasabi ribbon, coppper Vintage Brads, Scallop Punch, Circle Punch (CM)

I really enjoyed making my own background paper. I think I might have to do that more often.

FS76 Susie Stamp Alot

This was my first try at SCS's Featured Stamper challenge (FS76). When I started going through Susie's gallery I thought no way am I going to try and CASE this lady. And then I saw a Halloween card that spoke to me. My daughter's birthday is November 1st and she has always had a Halloween themed party. So I pulled out the papers that I wanted to use and let her pick which of my Halloween sets to use. Here is a link to the card I chose to CASE. And here is my card:






Recipe:

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Only Orange, Basic Black, DP is retired SU Halloween Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Only Orange, Apricot Appeal, Elegant Eggplant, and Orchid Opulance
Stamp Set: Haunting Halloween
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie Ribbon
Tools: SU oval punch (I think), blender pens and aqua marker (I don't have the SU markers yet)

The things that I changed are the stamp set, the use of ribbon, the DP, where the file folder tab is, and I added a second sentiment.

I also followed Beate's File Folder tutorial to complete the card.

CC175 Almost Wild Saffron

Tuesday's Color Combinations challenge on SplitCoastStampers was Almost Amethyst, Wild Wasabi, and So Saffron (CC175). As soon as I read it I rushed to my craft room and pulled out those stamp pads, then I turned to my stamps and figures out what I was going to do. This is what I came up with.

Recipe:

Stamps - SU Fresh Fruits, PTI Spiral Bouquet (sentiment)

Ink - Almost Amethyst, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Chocalate Chip

Cardstock - Almost Amethyst, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, DP Sampler Prints

Fresh Fruits is one of my favorite sets. I don't think I will ever let it go. Apparently I also have a thing for tearing paper this week as well. Pears are done with the Rock and Roll technique in Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, and Chocolate Chip. I also masked them to get a layered look. Friends is stamped in Almost Amethyst on the DP in So Saffron.

ARGGG!!!!!!!

I don't know what happened but a ton of my stuff disappeared. Off to try and fix it.

AFSS26 and TLC177

I started off my day checking my e-mail and I got an e-mail letting me know that someone had commented on my blog. I have to say I love these e-mails, but today was a special one. Nicole Anderson over at Anderson Arts had left me a comment saying congratulations for winning Allison's AFSS25 challenge. SHOCK!!!!! I was on the phone with hubby and just gushed. I've never won any of the blog candy's or challenges that I have done. I have wanted to do more challenges and this was just the incentive that I needed.

Today I combined Allison's AFSS26 using white ink and SplitCoastStampers TLC177 Got Grid? challenges. When I went downstairs to my craft room I found the card that I did for Allison's last challenge lying in the middle of my desk so I used it for my inspiration. I used Regal Rose, Rose Red, and Pretty in Pink cardstock as well as the DP from the Prints Sampler again. I of course used my white craft ink as well as Regal Rose and Rose Red inks. I used my Scor-Pal to make my grid and then I ran the white ink pad over the grid to add some color and texture. I then stamped one of the flower stamps from my favorite set, Paint Prints, three times in white and three times in Regal Rose. I then stamped the sentiment and flower centers in Rose Red. I love how it turned out.

AFSS25 Dare to be Fabulous

One of the blogs that I visit regularly is Stampin' When I Can. Allison started Suggestive Sunday's a while ago but this is the first one that I have participated in. This week's challenge is Words, Words, Words... The challenge this week is for the sentiment to be the only stamped image on the page. The card I created is not the one that I had first envisioned. I stated off with Ginger Blossoms DP and Close to Cocoa cardstock. I went looking for another DP and found one that I really liked in the Prints Sampler, but it didn't look right with the Ginger Blossom paper that I had. Then I had my aha moment. Last month at the monthly crop I go to we had a field trip to the LSS and I found crushed velvet flock by doodlebug design inc. The single butterfly on the 6 x 6 page just screamed flock me please. So I did. I also flocked the sentiment Dare to be Fabulous and I think the flocking does just that. The pictures do not do this card justice but the flocking is just not showing up real well. The flocking is pink almost like Regal Rose. I love the way it feels and I so wish you all could see it the way I do.

Here is a close up of the sentiment (sorry it's blurry). In the lower right hand corner you can also see the butterfly that got flocked as well.

Please visit Allison's blog to read more about Suggestive Sunday's and see the other really cool stuff that she posts.

Teacher Gift

These are the items that Regan and I made for her Kindergarten Teacher, Miss Bryant. It took awhile but we finally found out that her favorite color was pink, so we used lots of it.

We used all Stampin' Up! papers and ribbons and we used My Favorite Things Back To School stamp set.

We made a regular sized and mini composition book along with 10 3X3 Just a note notecards and a pen wrapped in ribbon.

China Album Finished

Well I finally finished my China album a couple of weeks ago. I used a Creative Memories album but all Far East papers. I also used my alphabet diecuts instead of stickers and I have to say I love how every thing goes together now. On our trip we went to Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai. We spent most of our time in Beijing and its surrounding area. I hope you enjoy my slide show.

31 Days of March Finished

YEAH!!!!!!! I am done. Thank God. I absolutely loved this challenge. It did take awhile but i think that once I finish the album, hopefully Friday, it will be totally worth it. Once I am finished with the actual ablbum I will post a slide show.

Day 31 Me

Barb posted:

Get someone to take a photo of yourself or you take it by setting up the camera on timer. Now write about one feature you like about yourself and one you don’t. Write a little about what you’ve chosen.

The picture I choose to use is of me and the kids on St. Patrick's Day.

One feature I like about myself is my hair. I can do just about anything with it. Now I just have to remember to make appointments, in a timely manner, to get my roots done. It looks so much better. Both kids got my hair. Regan's hair is very thick but fine just like mine was before puberty. Alek's hair is thick and very course, like mine is now.

The thing I don't like is the extra weight that I carry around my midsection. It is something that I have decided needs to be fixed. And now rather than later.

Day 30 News story

Barb posted:

If you could make a news story about one of your family members to put on the TV news, what would it say? Take a photo of something that represents that, or of the person you are talking about.

This was an incredibly had one to do so I will pick one that has already been in the news this month. And that is my daughter Regan. She is a Daisy girl scout and she amazes me every day. She imbibes the girl scout promise: On my honor, I will try: To serve God* and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

She was recently up on the wsls7.com website for her participation in Crazy Daisy Days and in the news paper for officially becoming a Girl Scout.

You can check out my early post where I talk about her more here.

Here is a picture of her and her troop. Regan is the second from the left.

Day 29 Driver

Barb posted:

When you go somewhere, Who drives the vehicle most of the time, you or your spouse or your children? Take a photo of that person driving the car, then tell a little about why they seem to drive most of the time. If it’s yourself, get someone to take your photo behind the wheel.

Baker almost always drives when we go out. I think he drives most of the time because he is a cop and has had specialized driver training. He also gets very frustrated with other drivers and with me when I am driving. Thus he drives.

Day 28 Books

Barb posted:

Take a photo of the books you have autographed from the author. If you don't have any autographed then take a photo of either the books you'd like to read this year or one's you've read in the past. If you don't read any books take a photo of a magazine where you read an article and then write a little about what you've read. If you have read some books list your favorite and least favorite and write why you picked those books. Same thing if you are listing magazines.

I do not have any autographed books which I find amazing. I read so much you would figure that I would find some. I do collect books by two different authors so that is what I took a picture of. The authors whose books that I collect are Laurell K. Hamilton and Nora Robers writing as J.D. Robb. Here is a picture of their books.

Laurell K. Hamilton writes about vampires, werewolves, zombies, and faeries to name a few.

J.D. Robb writes about a futuristic female cop.

Day 27 Game Show

Barb posted:

Take a photo of something that relates to your favorite Game show on TV. Example: If you watch “Cash Cab” you might take a photo of a taxi or some cash. If you watch dating shows, take a photo of a couple holding hands or fighting (who knows?). Write about why you like this game show. Or, list your favorite and worst game show. Or, make a list of all your favorite game shows you watch.

The only true game show that I watch any more is Cash Cab. I grew up watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune with my mom and brother. We used to eat dinner watching them and seeing who got more answers right. It was my favorite time of the day. Baker started watching Cash Cab and then so did I. Since Barb took a picture of cash I decided to take a picture of Cash Cab's website.

Day 26 Purse

Barb posted:



What’s in your purse or wallet? Dump it out and take a photo of it. Come on! You know it needs cleaned out anyway. Why do you carry around the stuff you have in there?

Here is a picture of my purse:



These are the things that I always carry with me. I have my little betsy purse that I keep my wallet and phone in so that I can grab that for a quick run into a store or the gas station. Then I have my coupon holder, almonds, lip glass, pens and pencils, work key chain, eye glasses, check book, digital camera, a book, and itch gel.

I always carry a book and my camera. You never know when you will get stuck in traffic or when a great photo oppurtunity might present itself.

I even had to dig out my old digital camera that my 6 year old now uses to take the photo with my camera in it.

Day 25 Potholders

Barb posted:

Take a photo of your potholders in your kitchen. Do you like them because they match your décor, or were they just something on sell? Were they a gift? How long have you had them? Why did you pick this one?

These are my favorite potholders. Baker bought them because they match my kitchen in the Blue Ridge house. They don't match the kitchen in our new house, but one day I hope they will. I just have to get rid of the green countertop.

Day 24 Wall Hanging

Barb posted:

Take a photo of something in your house that you’ve had on the wall for at least three years. Why is it still there? Do you still like it or has it just blended in the woodwork? Who hung it up, you or your spouse or someone else? Would you like to replace it or keep it?

We recently moved and have not hung up anything yet. I did take a picture of a tryptic that we have had for almost seven years and this will be the third house whose walls it will grace. In our house in Alexanderia the set of 3 paintings was in the living, in Blue Ridge they were in the dining room, and here they will be above our bed in the master bedroom. The really amazing thing about the paintings is that my mom got them at a garage sale for $25. We planned out our living around the painting, we planned out our dining room around it, and it fits in with the 9 photos that decorate our bedroom that I took while I was in China. These are definately something that we will be keeping.

Day 23 Reflection

Barb posted:

Take a photo of a reflection in the mirror. Tell about who or what it is and where it was taken. This could also be a reflection in a store window or a building. This is also Easter Sunday. You could always take a reflection of the Easter Bunny, the basket, etc.

I laughed when I read this post. The condo that we rented in Key West was just covered in mirrors. But I didn't like how any of the pictures turned out. The reflection picture I like the most is the one of Regan at the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum. One of the exhibits is a mirror for you to see if you can roll your tongue. Apparently only 1 in 10,000 can do it and Regan is one of them.

Day 22 Movie

Barb posted:

Go to your local movie theater and take a photo of a movie poster playing this week that you want to see. What is it about this movie that you’d like to watch?

This week not only did I get to the movie theater to take a picture of a movie I wanted to see I got to see it. The movie I wanted to see was 21. Baker and I went to Vegas for our first anniversary and we both like to watch poker on TV. I liked the idea of counting cards and that it was based on a true story. I really liked the movie but I could have waited for it to come out on DVD.

Day 21 Car

Barb posted

Take a photo of a car, truck, motorcycle or any vehicle you’d like to own. What kind of vehicle is it? Will you ever own one? Why or why not? Write about the best vehicle you’ve ever owned?

I would love to own a mini Cooper but it will never happen. In Europe these are inexpensive cars that don't take up a lot of space. Here in the US they are not inexpensive cars at all. Plus now that we are a family of four it is not a great car to have, being as small as it is. Here is a picture of one we saw while we were on vacation in Key West.

Ok I have to switch to hubbies computer to get the photo.

Day 20 Morning Routine

Barb posted:


Ladies, take a photo of your makeup or your routine in the mornings. For the guys: Take a photo of what your morning routine is or the things you use like a razor, shaving cream, etc. Now, write about how long you take each morning to get ready. What is your morning routine?


My morning is simple. I wake up to my husband's alarm and turn on Channel 7 morning news. I get up and take a shower and brush my teeth. Then while Baker is showering I pack my lunch and Regan's snack for school. After Baker is finished in the bathroom I blow dry my hair, get dressed, and put my make-up on. Then I help Baker get the kids ready for school. The last thing I do is take Regan to the bus stop and Alek to preschool. Then it is off to school for me too.


Here is a picture of my make-up. I just went and got it updated. Until a week ago I did not wear eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, or lip gloss. I use only Clinque make-up. It is about the only thing that doesn't make my face break out or get too dry.

Day 19 Dinner

Barb posted:


Take a photo of your lunch or dinner today. How often do you eat this each week? How is it made? Add the recipe here if you’d like.


A couple of year's ago I found a recipe called Spicy Ranch Chicken Fajitas in my Cooking Light magazine. I love to try new foods, as does my husband, so we gave it a try. All I can say is that every week since I have asked Baker what would he like to see on the menu this week and his answer is always Spicy Ranch Chicken Fajitas. I usually give in and make it about once a month, and that also happens to be today. Here are some photos and the recipe.









And now for the recipe:


Spicy Ranch Chicken Wraps

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 pounds skinned, boned chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
4 (8-inch) fat-free flour tortillas
3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 1/3 cups chopped seeded tomato

I add cheese to the top of mine instead of lettuce and tomato

Directions:
1. Combine the first 4 ingredients in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag. Add chicken; seal and shake to coat. Remove chicken from bag. Combine the buttermilk and next 5 ingredients (buttermilk through garlic) in a small bowl, and stir well with a whisk.
2. Place a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken, and sauté 2 minutes or until chicken is done. Add the buttermilk mixture; cover and cook 1 minute. Remove from heat.
3. Warm the tortillas according to the package directions. Spoon about 3/4 cup chicken mixture onto each tortilla, and top each serving with 3/4 cup chopped lettuce and 1/3 cup chopped tomatoes. Roll up wrap. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 wrap)

CALORIES 362(20% from fat); FAT 7.9g (sat 1.8g,mono 2.2g,poly 3.2g); PROTEIN 38.7g; CHOLESTEROL 87mg; CALCIUM 84mg; SODIUM 724mg; FIBER 2.9g; IRON 3.4mg; CARBOHYDRATE 32.9g Cooking Light, JUNE 2000

Day 18 Porch

Barb posted:

Take a photo of a porch you’d like to have at your own home. What is it about this porch that you like? What would you be doing on this porch? Playing with the kids, swinging on a swing, talking on the phone, visiting with friends or family, etc.?

The front porch I wish I had is my in-laws. It has enough room for a couple of chairs and the view of Roanoke is to die for. And you can see the Roanoke Star. This past summer we sat on the porch and watched fireworks on the fourth of July.

Picture of the porch:

Pictures of the view:

Day 17: A door

Barb posted:

Day 17, march 17th. Take a photo of a door or something you like on a door. What is it about this door or hanging item you chose? Was it about the color, the arrangement? Do you like the door because it has a lot of glass in it or no glass, etc? Also, today is Saint Patrick’s Day, I’m sure you can find something on someone’s door.

I teach at a middle school and one of my fellow teachers always decorates her door every month. I find it rather amusing that she is the photography teacher and I am taking pictures of her door.

Day 16: Whispering

Barb posted:

Day 16, March 16th. If you could whisper something in someone’s ear, what would it be? Take a photo of someone whispering or set it up yourself. If you don’t want to take this type of photo, then take a photo of who’d you’d be whispering to. Write about what you’d say, who’d you’d say it to or why you maybe whispering?

I love it when my kids tell me they have a secret and want to whisper it in my ear. 9 out of 10 times they tell me that they love me. The other time they might actually have a secret to share. And here they are.

Day 15: the Phone

Barb posted:

Day 15, March 15th. Take a photo of someone in your household who talks on the phone the most. You can take a photo of them while they’re on the phone. How many hours or minutes do they spend on the phone a day? Who are they talking to all the time?

Baker spends the most time in our house on the phone. A lot of his job is done over the phone and people are constantly calling. He even has 2 cellphones: one for work, one for personal use.

Day 14: Sibling

Barb posted:

Day 14, March 14th. Take a photo of one of your siblings doing something they love or a hobby they love. How did they get into this hobby or whatever it is? When did it start? Don’t have any siblings? Take a photo of one of your best friends.

I will be seeing my brother this week at the beach. I am sure I will be able to get a photo of him will he is reading or playing cards.



It was really easy to take this photo. My mom, brother, and I are all readers. None of us leave the house without a book in our possession. You never know when you might get stuck in traffic.

My brother, Gary, is reading a book by one of our favorite authors, Laurell K. Hamilton. She writes fantasy novels and they are great.

Day 13: TV Show

Barb posted:

Day 13, March 13th. Take a photo that relates to your favorite TV show. Example: If you like to watch “Lost” you may take a photo of the woods, an airplane, someone sexy. Use your imagination. Just think about your favorite show and you will come up with a lot of options. Now, write about why you like this show so much or your favorite character in the show. Make a list of your other favorites if you want.

I took a photo of Baker's badge because I love cop shows. We watch all the CSI's, all the L&O's, and even Cops.

Day 12: Mailbox

Barb posted:

Day 12, March 12th. Take a photo of an unusual mailbox. Or several. What draws you to this particular mailbox? Is this something you’d want in front of your own house? If you could have any mailbox and it wouldn’t be a problem to make, what would you like to have?

I am hoping to see an unusual mailbox while I am on vacation in Florida. Look back next week.

Well I got to see a lot of unique mailboxes while I was in Key West. We drove from Miami down to the keys. One of the more popular mailboxes that I saw were some manatee mailboxes. Try as I might I was not able to get a picture. Got lots of pictures of moving cars though. Since I couldn't take one, Baker even offered to turn around several times, I googled them and found this photo.

Now for my photo. I saw several of these on our drives around the island. Don't you just love cats.

Day 11: Sign

Barb posted:

Day 11, March 11th. Take a photo of a sign that brings a smile to your face. Did it make you laugh out loud? What is it about this sign that you liked?





I used to live in Michigan where signs like this one were all over and you never thought much about them. I moved to Virginia 15 years ago and to Southwest Virginia 5 1/2 years ago. We don't see signs like this very often but everytime I do they bring a smile to my face.

Day 10: Tree

Barb posted:

Day 10, March 10th. Take a photo of your favorite tree. Write about the smells it gives off, the color, and/or the textures. Why is this particular tree your favorite?

My favorite trees are lilacs and willows. I will update once I have some photos.

I never made it by my old house to take a picture of my lilacs. One of the reasons it is my favorite tree/bush is that when I was growing up there was a huge one just outside my bedroom that smelled wonderful when it was blooming.

The willow is my favorite tree for several reasons. One, I love the way a weeping willow looks when the wind blows. It just looks majestic. Another reason I like it is because of a story I read when I was little. It had to do with a woman who lived in a willow tree and about getting her house in order because a storm was coming. If anyone knows the title please let me know. Here is a picture of a young willow on the edge of our property.

Day 9: Keys

Barb posted:


Day 9, March 9th. Take a photo of your key ring. Don’t take anything off before you take the photo. Do you know what every key is to? Is there a mystery key? Write or list what those keys are for. If you have a mystery key, how long are you going to keep it on there? If you have other stuff on your key ring, why are they there? What does those things represent?

I have to key rings: one for home and one for school. The home key ring has a key to our Pilot and a key to our house. It also has a CVS card, Kroger card, Foodlion card, and a BAC card. My school key chain has my room key, a key to my house (it is the blue one), a chapstick in a lepord print holder, and my school id. My keys are really simply and I use everything on them.

Home:

Work:

Day 8: Two People

Barb posted:


Day 8, March 8th. Take a photo where there is at least two people in it. Why did you choose these two people? Was it random? Are they people you love? Strangers? Where was it taken?

I choose Dave and Michelle for my two people because they are about to be three. This photo was taken at their baby shower. Dave is one of Baker's co-workers. And the baby shower was thrown by Tiffany, another co-worker. The shower was at Famous Anthony's Restaurant.

Day 7: Clothing

Barb posted:


Day 7, March 7th. Take a photo of the same piece of clothing you wear at least twice a week. Do you love this item or is it something you have to wear because you just haven’t gotten out to buy something new? How did you feel about it when you first got it? Did someone give it to you as a gift or did you buy it? Where did you buy it? Was it on sell? Write about it.

This photo and one of my student's comments finally got me to have my roots done. I can't believe I let it go this long. On to the prompt.

I love this sweater. It replaced a sweater that I got my senior year in high school and still had up until about a year ago. I think that the laundry fairy threw it away. I did have it for close to 15 years and it did have lots of holes. This is the sweater that I wear when I get cold. It is wool and it is incredibly soft and warm. And I love the color. I got it 2 years ago for Christmas from my in-laws and I LOVE IT!!! It is from L.L. Bean and the style is still available but not the color. They have different colors every year. It is called the Swift River Cardigan.

Day 6: My Town

Barb posted:


Day 6, March 6th. Take a photo of something about your town in which you either love, hate or find unique. Write about why you either love or hate this about your town, or that you find unique that other towns may not have. If you want, you could choose all three things to write about.

One of the places I love about Roanoke is the Star. I liked it even before I learned anything about it. You can see it from my in-laws front porch (which I would love to have that view). And it is one of my daughter's favorite sites around town.

Like:

One of the things I dislike is the new art museum building that is being built. It is way to modern for a medium size town. It sticks out like a sore them.

Dislike:

Day 5: Weather

Barb posted:


Day 5, March 5th. Today, take a picture outside of your weather. If you are someone who can’t get outside, then if it’s raining then take a photo of boots or a raincoat. If snowing maybe a photo of your winter hat or winter coat or gloves. Now, write about why March is your favorite or not favorite month of the year.

Our weather has been great this year. Only one snow day and it happened on a teacher workday. This means that we have not had to use a single one of our make-up days. We actually get to have scheduled 3 day weekends. YEAH!!!!!!!! This is a picture of the kids playing in the cars that they got for Christmas. It has been really windy lately but in the 40-50's.

March is one of my favorite months because one of our family traditions is this month, the St. Patrick's Day Parade. We have gone every year since Regan was born. We will miss it this year because Regan has a Daisy Girl Scout event, but may be next year her troop will be in it.

Day 4: Parents

Barb posted:

Day 4, March 4th. How long has it been since you captured a recent photo of your parents? If your parents are deceased, then take a photo of someone older that you respect. Write a little about what you respect about them.

I will be seeing both my mom and my dad and step-mom this week so I will post pictures later.

One of the things that I respect about my mom is that she is always trying new things. It doesn't matter if it is traveling to a new place, like China, or taking wine classes by herself. One of the things my mom is not real great at is all the new technology that is out there today. For this trip she finally bought a digital camera and entered a new world for her. YEAH MOM!!!!! Baker snapped a picture of her taking a picture of the kids.

Next up are my Dad and step-mom. I respect both of them a great deal. One of the reasons I respect my Dad is that he has never, ever said a bad thing about my Mom even after they have been divorced for more than 20 years. He did want my brother and I to ever think anything bad about her so he left us to think that he was always the bad guy. It wasn't until I was in my 20's that I finally understand why my dad did some of the things that he did. Thanks dad for always putting us first even if we didn't get it. And then there is my step-mom. The thing I respect most about her is that she stayed. No matter what my brother and I did to her or my dad she stayed, and I have to admit we were both total monsters at times. She and my dad have been together for a really long time, around 20 years I think they have actually been married. I hope you two have at least 20 more together. Here is a picture of the two of them from this past week.