Thursday, February 28, 2013

Dr. Seuss' Birthday

 
I'm preparing for Dr. Seuss' Birthday tomorrow!!  Who isn't????  For those of you who have little ones and love READING, take the opportunity to celebrate it.  You can find TONS of inspiration (including the above treat using melted white chocolate and green m&m's to mock green eggs) over at my Pinterest Dr. Seuss Stuff I Love board here.
 
Enjoy your day!!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Cinnamon Churro Chex Mix

I made this for my son's birthday party recently, and it was a HIT.  You might have a little difficulty finding cinnamon chips, but look closely at bulk stores--I found mine the first time I looked.  You can find the recipe here.  It really tastes like mini churros--they're a delish treat!!
Enjoy your day!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Dr. Seuss' B-Day Celebration

Cat Cam is my new favorite toy app.  I chased my kids around the house and made them pose for these with my iPhone...

It is $1.99, and a hoot to use...
SO FUN!!  And I've volunteered to take pics of the whole classroom on Friday, when my son's class celebrates Dr. Seuss' birthday.  Can't wait!!
 
For an array of other Dr. Seuss Apps, including greeting cards, games and books, you can find more information here.
And in case you're wondering, they also have a Grinch version for Christmastime, too...WHEE!!
 
Enjoy your day!
 

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Blizzard Bars

When I saw these Blizzard Bars on Pinterest, I couldn't wait to make them...
 
And they were worth the effort.  DIVINE.  They are truly delish, and you should go and make them yourself...
You can find the recipe at Cookies and Cups here
 
Enjoy your weekend!!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Photo Pendants

 
Have you seen these beautiful glass tile necklaces?  You can find the tutorial to do them over at Ginger Snap Crafts here.  SO adorable and easy to make as gifts!!  I plan on doing them as Mother's Day crafts this year.  If you have trouble finding any of the supplies locally, you can grab them here on Etsy
 
Enjoy your day!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Bertram Inn Information 2013

Please join us for a weekend of scrapping fun at the 6th Annual Fall Retreat at the Bertram Inn in Aurora, Ohio with Work in Progress Kits

November 1-3, 2013

You’ll enjoy a whole weekend at a beautiful hotel eating the most delicious food. All you need to do is bring your scrap supplies, and the rest will be left up to us! Check in time is 3:00pm on Friday, November 1st. You will also be permitted to set up at your table in the ballroom at that time as well, where you’ll have an entire 6 foot table all to yourself. There will be a welcome reception served that evening, and the ballroom will be available day and night for however long you wish to stay. When you decide to retire to your room, you simply leave your table and return to it the next morning!

On Saturday, you return to where your table for a full day of more fun! There will be a breakfast buffet served to us right outside our ballroom, a boxed lunch and later on we will also be served an early dinner. I elected to set it up this way so we all have room to enjoy a fondue bar on Saturday evening without feeling the least bit guilty!! You know we need that chocolate to keep the creativity flowing. And just like the previous night, you retire at your leisure and return to the same spot the next day. On Sunday, you’ll be served breakfast, and check-out time is noon. You are free to continue scrapping until 2:00pm in the ballroom. And believe me when I tell you--you won’t want to leave.

Now if that wasn’t enough--I will be offering a very limited amount of break-out classes on Saturday. Once registration is complete, I will reveal a list of classes and you can decide to partake in these or not--it is simply an option. Most of the break-out classes will be short and sweet, and project related (since Christmas will be on all of our minds by then for sure!). Pre-registration for classes won’t begin until July 1st, and since class size is limited, it will be on a first-come basis. More information will follow. I can’t say enough about the facilities at the Bertram Inn. The food there is what sold me on doing this entire event, and I hope you take a chance and decide to join me for a weekend you won’t soon forget! The hotels also offers a restaurant and a variety of other amenities, and if you’d like to see more of what is available, please visit the website at http://www.thebertraminn.com/.

Accommodations and Pricing: Prices listed are for the entire weekend package, including meals, a water station and scrapbook space with proper lighting. Availability is on a first come basis, and deposits are NOT refundable. The first deposit (half of the fee) along with the registration form is due by Friday, March 22, 2013, with the remainder due by Friday, September 13, 2013. When registering, please list all roommates, as seating will be assigned. Pricing for 2 nights and above meals listed are: Single Occupancy:$449 per person Double Occupancy:$339 per person Triple Occupancy: $319 per person Quad Occupancy:$289 per person **Please note, deposits are not refundable, but they are transferrable. **For more information, or to reserve a spot for the weekend, please email Trish Turay at Turay413@gmail.com. Hope to see you there! ****************************************************** Name: ____________________________________________Address:________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone ________________________Email:_______________________________ Room Request: (circle one) Single Double Triple Quad Roommates:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Amount of Deposit:___________________________________

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Valentines

I didn't do much decorating for Valentine's Day this year because of all the painting going on around here.  But I did do my fireplace.  I got the "for like ever" sign from my friend Jen for Christmas, and it's my favorite thing ever.  I made the mini button canvas on a whim.  The garland of paper hearts can be found here.  And you'll notice the pom poms again.  Never enough of those!  The canvas you can't see due to glare is our 5 handprints traced on a canvas board.  Still one of my favorite art pieces in the house.
 
Enjoy your day!
 

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Painting.

One of the main projects in my house that has been going on for a little over a month is painting.  Like, the whole first floor kinda painting.  I started off with the laundry room.  I thought it was a good place to start.  Get my confidence up so I would be propelled into the rest of the house...
The above shows the butter color before.  The whole house was painted this color for 10 years.  Don't get me wrong--I loved it.  It was just time for change.
 
So I painted it Tidewater Blue from Sherman Williams.  And I LOVE IT.  Love that it is fresh and pretty and happy.  I mean, if you gotta do laundry, you might as well like where you're doing it, right??
 The hole in the ceiling is a laundry shoot.  Maybe the single most favorite thing in my house.  We don't do hampers.  Kids drop all their dirty clothes down the shoot (located in the master closet) every morning and every evening. Ideally, of course.  It works for us.  XL pins are from Ballard Designs.  I've since added a shelf from Ikea and changed out the basket liners to green.  Tis the season for home improvement projects!! 

Enjoy your day!!

Monday, February 11, 2013

I'm Back...

 
That was some blog break, huh? 
 
Nothing like leaving you hanging.  I apologize for that.  I needed time to be with my family, and honestly, I didn't realize I'd take such a long break once I decided to take one.  Every time I went to go back, I hesitated.  And I knew I wasn't ready.  I think I'm good now, ready to share my life and my insights and my crafty stuff.
 
I can't tell you how many people dropped me emails, sent me notes, crafty surprises, facebook messages, etc.  I am truly, truly touched.  After 7 years of doing scrapbook kits and this blog, I didn't expect many people would even notice a long break.  So thank you for asking and inquiring and caring about me and my family.
 
A little over a week ago, I held my father's hand as he passed away from this earthly life.  He had been in failing health for years, and it was a long goodbye.  Strange as it may seem, I am incredibly thankful for so much.  Thankful that we all had an awesome visit with him which included individual pictures with my children (and group photos too) one week before his passing.  Thankful for a support system that we trusted and leaned on during this time.  Thankful for friends and family and strangers who extended themselves in kindness in ways that I can't even wrap my head around yet.  Thankful for having an angel on my side who is looking out for me.  Thankful for having a father who loved me and parented me my whole life.  Thankful that he and my mom stuck by each other and left nothing unsaid.  Thankful I inherited a love of photography from him.  (You may remember this post about documenting the everyday stuff.)
 
I've missed you guys.  Missed blogging.  I can't remember the last time I had a break from anything crafty like this.  But it felt good.  Good to leave.  And now good to start again.  I hope you understand.
 
 
 I have been working on house projects.  More on that tomorrow.  So stay tuned.  Until then, enjoy this day.