She Stamps Alot!

2011-09-11T10:38:00.002-05:00

I started this blog to talk a little about me & showcase my stamping. But now Stampin Up has provided us with blogs on our website. I am going to post this months pictures on there, and move onto my next thoughts on what to do with this blog. I am thinking of just using it for my random thoughts for the day….I hope you will continue to join me & share it with your friends.

I should start work on my Stampin Up Blog later today. Check out my page there & I believe you can subscribe! Give me time to get it going & get used to that format & then let me know what you thing!

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/crystalmiller/

My next post will be a 9/11 post!

Dynamis Chapter Christmas in July

2011-06-28T12:05:00.002-05:00

Annual ABWA Dynamis

Christmas in July!

July 23, 2011

11 am – 2 pm

At the Killeen Convention Center

On WS Young.

ABWA Dynamis Chapter is sponsoring a Christmas in July Bazaar. Come and see all the goodies for sale.

Tables are for sale for $50.00.

Email me @ SellsBskts@aol.com

if you want information on a booth.

JUNE STAMP CLUB

2011-06-08T08:11:00.002-05:00

June Stamp Club

Reflection or Mirror Image Technique

Stamp image toward the top half of cardstock, then stamp again on acetate. Turn the acetate over (ink to cardstock) with image lined up under the original image to form the

reflection. Brayer over acetate to transfer image.

Mirror image will be slightly lighter than original.

If you want them to match try stamping off once before stamping your original image to the cardstock.

Simple but elegant card...I think for Graduation!

The Cookie Page for the month!

Enjoy your summer. I will be leaving for a cruise soon! Pictures to follow after I get home!

Where have I been??

2011-05-28T12:45:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted in months until today! In FEBRUARY, I went back to teaching! It has been an experience to say the least. After 16 years of staying at home, I have had to adjust to LOTS! Going back to the working world. How students have changed in the last 16 years, how teaching them has changed! WOW! I teach at Richard Milburn Charter High School. It is an alternative high school. Want to know more about it & the type of students I teach....check it out....

http://milburnschools.org/

What else have I been doing???? In May...my honey came home from Afghanistan! Woo Hoo!

May STAMP CLUB

2011-05-28T12:35:00.002-05:00

LOVE THIS STAMP SET! So PRETTY! $2 of the sale of it goes to Breast Cancer Research!

This is one of my FAVORITE NEW TECHNIQUES! LOVE IT!

Washed Embossing

Choose a busy background stamp and ink it in Versamark ink. Emboss using gold, silver or Black embossing powder. Use an aqua-painter to add a few colors of ink all over the image. Use as desired or punch out shapes from the colored piece.

Fun Birthday Card! I will be doing a Birthday Card Class in LATE JUNE or EARLY JULY & this will be one of the cards for the class! More details to come!

April Stamp Club

2011-05-28T12:31:00.001-05:00

Don't you just love these little Monsters! I do! We watercolored them!

Neutral Shadows

Swipe an anti-static bag/embossing buddy over your White or Vanilla card stock. Ink the stamp in Versamark ink, stamp & emboss with Clear embossing powder. Using a fine sponge, Q-tip or small stencil brush, add light or neutral Classic Ink around the embossed image. Wipe off excess ink over the embossed areas with a soft cloth. You can add ink in a narrow or wide manner for different shadowed looks.

April Recipe Page

March Stamp Club

2011-03-16T17:25:00.001-05:00

Build A Blossom Punch & Stamp set were used to make this Birthday card!

Watercolor Highlighting

Ink an outline image with waterproof ink & stamp onto neutral card stock. Pick up Classic ink from the lid of an ink pad, scribbled marker or ink refills with an aqua-painter. Color along the outside edge of your stamped images. This is an imperfect, almost distressed look best using light colored ink.

Cookie Page for March!

February Stamp Club

2011-02-07T08:27:00.003-06:00

Joseph’s Coat Inside Out

Stamp your neutral CS with a patterned back ground stamp using dark waterproof ink. Sponge the entire surface with 3 Classic ink colors. Rub the Embossing Buddy over it all. Ink a solid type stamp in Versamark & stamp over the colored CS. Clear heat emboss. Brayer 2 or more dark colors over it all in patchwork squares & rectangles. Rub the ink off the embossed surface with a damp cloth.

Cookie Recipe Page for February
Inside of Sweet Treat Card
Outside of card!

If you are not a member of Stamp Club you should be! Ask me how you can be a member of Stamp Club! Or host your own show in your home!

Be watching my blog this week for more Blog Candy Give Away!

Crunchy Apple Baked Beans

2011-01-31T08:33:00.001-06:00

Crunchy Apple Baked Beans

Ingredients:

2 cup dried pinto beans, picked over and soaked overnight, drained

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 small yellow onion, diced

½ cup dried apple, pulsed in food processor to the size of large raisins

3 tablespoons blackstrap molasses

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

½-3/4 teaspoon cayenne or chipotle pepper

¼ teaspoon liquid smoke

½ teaspoon epazote, optional yo hlp with bean digestibility

2 cups apple cider (also good with hard cider!)

3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

½ teaspoon salt or to taste

Directions:

In large heavy-bottom pot, heat oil over medium burner and sauté onion for 4 minutes.

Add beans, apple, molasses, mustard, cayenne, liquid smoke, epazote, cider and broth, stirring to combine.

Increase heat and bring to a simmer.

Lower heat to maintain a low simmer, cover and cook for 90 minutes to 2 hours or until beans are tender.

After first 45 minutes, stir and check liquid level every 30 minutes or so, adding additional broth if necessary.

Add salt to taste at end of cooking time.

Yield: about 8 cups

This recipe was passed on to me recently. I have yet to try it. What do you think?

Winner

2011-01-28T16:43:00.000-06:00

Dawn W is the winner of the blog candy!

BLOG CANDY CONTEST!!!

2011-01-23T15:05:00.002-06:00

How to win BLOG CANDY!

1. Post a comment here on my blog.

2. Subscribe to She Stamps ALOT Blog. If you are already a subscriber you will get a second entry with your comment.

3. Get a friend to subscribe to blog and comment that you asked them to subscribe.

4. Like my Stampin” Up with Stamper Chick Page on FACEBOOK, if you already are be sure and LIKE the post about the giveaway!

DRAWING WILL BE HELD ON January 28!

Card Ministry

2011-01-11T14:42:00.003-06:00

Here is the card for the homebound, sick & those in need from our church! Next week we will meet to make Valentines cards for our deployed church members!

January Stamp Club

2011-01-09T20:30:00.005-06:00

Here is the Birthday Card for January.

This is the outside of the card.

A very easy TRI-FOLD card!

And here is what the inside of the TRI FOLD card looks like!

Valentines Card! This set was offered in the Christmas Mini Catalog, and they extended this Valentines set through the middle of this month! I love it! So cute! Great Bundle Deal on this set!
We are doing 12 months of Cookies! So each month we will do a Cookie Recipe Page! This month the cookie is Peanut Butter Cookies & it is an easy recipe & page!
Do you remember making the little fortune tellers when you were a kid. Guess what...this is one of those upside down filled with valentines candy. Great idea that the Stampin' Up company shared with all the demos! I wish I could take credit for the super idea, but I can't! Love it though!

Happy New Year

2011-01-07T10:52:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year!

I am excited for what 2011 has to bring me! I am looking forward to this years Stamp Club. We are back to one club meeting on Sundays!

I am working on my New Years Resolutions and will post them soon!

My DH(Darling Husband) was home from Afghanistan for his two weeks of R&R! It FLEW by! Just when we are adjusted to him being back home, he had to pack up to go back! He should be home in Mid May! I am ready for him to retire, but I think he is going to try and stick it out for one more year! The kids took this picture with him on the computer! CUTE!

Next few post should be on Resolutions & Stamp Club items!

Card Ministry

2010-11-29T15:27:00.003-06:00

Our Tuesday Ladies Bible Study group sends packages and cards to our deployed church members. I had a thought, why are we sending store bought cards, when I can make them & I know some members are stampers. So, I have begun a card ministry at my church. We are making cards for our soldiers, homebound, ill, and sympathy card for those who need them.

I am thrilled with this new adventure. Here are a few of the cards we have made lately.

Christmas card for Soldiers
January Card for Soldiers
Thinking of you card for our Homebound, etc.

NEW CHALLENGE!

2010-10-28T16:09:00.000-05:00

Coming next week a Christmas Challenge! Wahoo! Keep watching!

Black Forest Truffle

2010-10-23T14:09:00.001-05:00

Black Forest Truffle

Brownies cut up in bite size pieces

Cherry Pie Filling

2 Chocolate Mousse Pudding (Made up separately one for each layer)

Cool Whip

One Layer of brownies, then Cherry Pie filling, then Pudding, then cool whip. Repeat one more layer.

YUMMY! Tried it this week at my friend Judy's Pampered Chef show! It was so yummy!

Christmas Card Class

2010-10-14T12:04:00.003-05:00

This is a VERY SIMPLE CARD. It will have RIBBON added to the finally copy this is the rough draft, the ribbon is on order.
This card will have glitter added to the SNOWFLAKES.
This card is more of antique look. This card should not change from the rough draft.
This decorative paper on this card is run through the BIG SHOT with the snowflake embossing folder. Hope you can see the glitter on the snowman. I might add another ribbon to this one.

Christmas Card Class

Nov 7 @ 1:00

Nov 8 @ 10:00

Cost $20

RSVP with Payment by October 20.

Please be sure and RSVP with the DATE you would like to attend.

If you have questions please contact me.

OCTOBER STAMP CLUB!

2010-10-14T11:46:00.002-05:00

Our first card was a very SIMPLE Fall Card. You can't see the DAZZLING DIAMONDS on the leaves but it is there! And once we use DD, it is ALL OVER ME! I tell my Stampers Glitter is the HERPES of Craft Supplies! Once you get it on you...YOU CAN'T GET RID OF IT!
We tried a new technique here! Lots of fun!
Love this EMBOSSING folder! So fun! What an easy card! Love it!

We will have a Sunday & Monday Stamp Club again next year. We have a few openings! Contact me for more information!

Next years CLUBS will be making a Recipe Book filled with YUMMY recipes, and then one or two cards every month!

The next post will be about my Christmas Card Class!

The WINNER IS.....

2010-10-06T08:43:00.001-05:00

Card A The Halloween Card it the winner!

Congrats goes out to Melissa Vannoy of Childress Texas!

Melissa, please email me with your address for verification!

I will mail your Ribbon Scissors to you!

Thank you to Syd & Bluett for your entry in the contest!

Watch for more contest to come!

Thank you!

Card Challenge Cards

2010-10-01T15:29:00.005-05:00

3 cards were received for the CARD CHALLENGE. You may vote for your favorite card by clicking on the comment section of this post, and voting Card A, Card B, or Card C. The card with the most votes will win a pair of RIBBON SCISSORS! Please VOTE ONLY ONCE! Pass this on to your friends! The BLOG entry before this one is the basic LAYOUT I was asking the Stampers to follow! VOTING CLOSES on Wednesday, October 6 @ 8AM!

Halloween Card is CARD A

Journey Card is Card B

Christmas Card is Card C

Card Challenge

2010-09-17T22:17:00.004-05:00

I am starting my first Card Challenge.

Must be Stampin Up Ink, Cardstock, Stamps, MUST BE ALL SU!

***You need to be a follower of my blog. Click on the link to become a follower.

You must mail your card to my address. It must be ALL SU materials & stamps. Those are the easy parts.

You must follow the design elements, but remember the shapes, don't have to be exactly the same...be creative. Rotate it. You must have your entry in my mailbox or hand by Sept 30.

I will then post all the cards on my blog by a number, not by name, and we will ask for votes from yourself and others. You may vote for your card one time.

The winner will receive a pair of paper and craft scissors. I often refer to them as RIBBON Scissors. They are on page 199 in the current Catalog. They are $29.95.

Don't write anything on the inside of the card. Use a STICKY note to put name, address, and phone number. I will donate these cards to my Card Ministry for Soldiers & Homebound.

Email me if you have any questions.

SellsBskts@aol.com

September Stamp Club

2010-09-15T10:14:00.004-05:00

Embossed Crayon Resist Emboss a piece of card stock using an embossing folder & a die cut machine like the Big Shot. Before removing from the folder, rub the side of a crayon over the embossed, raised image. Use a white or dark crayon, or even a shimmer crayon. Remove from the folder & sponge Classic ink over the entire area.

My Club members did the Thank You Version. I changed it up, because I am in need of Birthday Cards. And made some extra with the Birthday on them!

The Halloween Card was a simple one. We used the Spider Web Embossing Folder on it. The Pumpkin Card is using one of my favorite sets Autumn Harvest! Love it! We used watercolor pencils and blender pens. I added the face to mine. I love Halloween! Have a great day! Be watching my blog later this week for a CONTEST!

August Stamp Club

2010-09-05T13:28:00.004-05:00

We worked on Sponging this month! We sponged Faux Clouds with the scallop oval punch for this Spring/Summer Scrapbook Page.
With this Journey Card we stamped the images first and then we sponged ground, sea, sky for our Journey Card.
I love this stamp set from the Summer Mini. I wasn't sure about it at first, but am in love with it now. Lots of sponging here! If you want to know how. Send me a message or email and I will send you directions!

Sunday, September 12 & Monday, September 13 are the next Stamp Club meetings! Contact me for information on them!

Ginger's Chili Dog Casserole

2010-08-14T09:17:00.002-05:00

Preheat oven to 400.

3 Hot Dog Buns

5 0r 6 Hot Dogs

1 Can of Chili

1/4 to 1/2 cup of chopped onion

1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Tear or Cut up hot dog buns. Spread them evenly over 8x8 dish. Chop up 5 to 6 hot dogs & spread over buns. Open can of Chili pour over hot dogs & spread evenly. Sprinkle onions on top & then cheese. Bake until bubbly. This serves 3 to 4 people.

Double this & place in a 9 x 13 dish to serve more.

* Ginger says she drizzles mustard & sometimes relish on top after she removes from the oven.

It was a big hit at my house!

Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

2010-08-13T12:33:00.000-05:00

Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Greenhouse Gala Class

2010-08-08T21:54:00.002-05:00

Sunday, August 29

1:30 @ my house.

Cost is $10 for Stamp Club Members & $12 for Non Members

Bright colors and bold patterns create an eye-‐catching combination that is sure to

elicit a “wow” from everyone who sees it. In this class you’ll use the

Greenhouse Gala DP and Friends Never Fade stamp set to create

these four gorgeous coordinating cards.

Please Contact me by email for more information!

EXTRA EXTRA

2010-08-02T12:19:00.002-05:00

Dates: July 27-August 31, 2010

Details
Hostesses will receive an additional $25 in hostess free merchandise dollars when they hold a workshop totaling $350 or more!

Things to Remember

Only customer, demonstrator, and workshop order types qualify for this promotion.
Orders must be $350 or more to qualify. Online orders do not qualify.
Hostesses may use their additional $25 in hostess free merchandise on any regular catalog/mini catalog merchandise.
Orders larger than $350 are not eligible for additional hostess free merchandise dollars. For example, a $700 workshop does not receive $50 in additional dollars. All orders over $350 always receive $25 in additional free hostess dollars.

Recipes & Summer

2010-07-25T08:58:00.002-05:00

This summer has been busy, fast, & it seems like school is just around the corner! BOO HISS! I have been a slacker on posting, but wanted you to know all is well.

Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients: 1 Yellow Cake Mix prepared as instructions state – then the mix is divided into 2 cake pans 2 large containers of cool whip 3-4 quarts of strawberries Powdered Sugar

When cakes are cooled, cover with a thick layer of cool whip. Then layer the sliced strawberries and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Katy Cookies

2 cups sugar 1⁄4 pound oleo (1 stick) 1⁄2 cup milk 3 Tablespoons cocoa Pinch salt Put ingredients into large pan. Bring to rolling boil for 1 minute (stirring continuously). Remove from heat. Then add: 1 teaspoon vanilla 1⁄2 cup peanut butter 3 cups quick oats Stir well. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper to cool

God Bless America

2010-07-04T16:24:00.004-05:00

God Bless America!

God Bless those who stand in harm's way so that we can celebrate our freedoms today. This morning, I freely went to the church of my choice, and will enjoy an evening at a baseball game.

Thank you to all who serve our country past and present & to those who have given their lives so that we can continue to celebrate.

Thank to our friend who lost his life in 2006 so others could be free.

And to my husband who has served his country for over 21 years!

New Catalog & New Colors

2010-07-02T09:06:00.002-05:00

I am very pleased to announce that the NEW CATALOG is here, and ready to go in your hot little hands. Stampin Up is offering a great thing...Color Renovation Kits! Wahoo!

Trip to Washington DC & Gettysburg

2010-06-28T09:33:00.003-05:00

Sam went with the Team America Group to Washington DC & Gettysburg this summer. They spent 5 days there, and saw so much. I will post a few pictures for you to enjoy!

On the National Mall with the Wahington Monument in the background.
In Ford's Theatre

Day One -left the school at 3 AM & flew to DC --They vistied Arlington national Cemetery, Iwo Jima Memorial, White House, FDR Memorial, World War II Memorial.

Day Two-US Capitol, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Holocaust Museum, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Vietnam Memorial, Korean Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Einstein Statue & they saw a production of "Shear Madness" at the Kennedy Center.

Day Three-the went to Mount Vernon, the Smitsonian, Air & Space Museum, American Histroy Museum, Natural History Museum, Ford's Theater, Peterson House & ended the night with the Alexandria Colonial GHOST TOUR!

Day Four-Gettysburg Battlefield Tour

Day Five-Washington Monument Tour, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Ft McHenry Tour, and back to airport to fly home...arriving after midnight!

He had a blast, rested up for a week and then was off to Boy Scout Camp!

NOCC Balance 5K in Austin on August 28, 2010

2010-06-22T22:47:00.002-05:00

NOCC Balance 5K in Austin on August 28, 2010

Run, walk or stroll in Austin's 3rd Annual NOCC Balance 5K presented by Scott & White Health Plan. This chip-timed 5K features a great course for runners, walkers and joggers. Find balance and support the NOCC at the 2010 NOCC Balance 5K!

Can't quite pull yourself out of bed on a Saturday morning? That's OK! Turn Over for Teal, support NOCC and receive a race t-shirt and packet.

Race will be held at The Domain 11410 Century Oaks Terrace Austin, TX 78758

Many of you know this is NEAR and DEAR to my heart. I am gathering Team Members. Join my team. You can RUN, WALK, or STROLL with me in Austin. If you can't make it, you can donate to my team, or even be a SLEEP IN member of my team.

Help me reach my goal. Please tell your friends pass it on!

I hope this will link you to my page.

http://nocc.kintera.org/faf/login/teamPageEdit.asp?ievent=420383&lis=0&kntae420383=E4C68AB49C96463295F627F887B964DF&page=view

Card for Friends

2010-06-10T08:46:00.005-05:00

Today's Card is one I wish I didn't have to make. I had to make two of them. I have two friends who have lost 4 legged family members this past week. The top picture is of the outside of the card, and the bottom is the inside of the card.

Stamp Club for June

2010-06-09T16:05:00.002-05:00

Stamp Club in June! What fun. We did 3 cards. Two were real simple cards. But the third was a NEW TECHNIQUE for most of the members. They learned STAINED GLASS. The card at the TOP is the Stained Glass Card!

HOW TO:

Cut a piece of vellum paper to desired size and choose a line art stamp that gives you a defined are for coloring. Stamp your image in Versa Mark or Black Craft ink. Heat emboss with black or clear embossing powder. Flip the Vellum paper over and color in the images using SU markers or Watercolor Crayons. IF using crayons blend with a blender pen or aqua painters. Attach the finished piece to your project with the embossed side facing up.

HAPPY STAMPING! Look tomorrow for another card!

Scentsy!

2010-06-04T08:12:00.003-05:00

Two great offers this month with Scentsy! For the GOLFER in your family this great FORE Warmer! And for the Patriot in you an added twist to the Candy Cane Warmer. The Star Topper. For a special price you get both the Star & Red Top. Check out my Scentsy Website!

https://crystalmiller.scentsy.us/Home

Say GOOD BYE

2010-06-01T07:00:00.003-05:00

Here is the list. For now I am just going to post the Stamp List. I will email it out if you are on my mailing list. The other two list are long, and I am not sure how it would work on my blog.

LAST CHANCE LIST......

2010-05-31T13:14:00.003-05:00

The Last Chance Lists will be posted here tomorrow June 1, 2010 .

Last Chance items are all the goodies that will NOT make the new 2010/2011 catalog .

Once they are gone they will no longer be available.

The Accessory Last chance list will be while supplies last .

The Decor Elements & Stamp set Last Chance Lists will be available until June 30. 2010!

Be sure you have EMAILED me to PRE ORDER your Catalog! They should be on my doorstep around July 1.

New Colors & Good Bye to Old Friends

2010-05-27T15:20:00.003-05:00

Smoochy Spritz

2010-05-24T14:12:00.002-05:00

I will give you the 411 on the new Smooch Spritz.

Today I will show you the 4 colors of Smooch Spritz on dark ( Black ) and light ( Whisper white ) card stock two totally different looks on each color of card stock .

The Smooch spritz is a Fabulous way to add a little bit of sparkle to all your projects.

Squeal! I am a GLITTER GIRL! I love these. You need to use them in a CONTROL Area...like the cool little box from SU. You need to use them UP RIGHT, do not try spraying on top. The box is almost the perfect distance away. I can see all kinds of cool stuff.

If the lids become clogged. Take it off, soak it in a little dish soap and rinse and return.

Be sure and practice on scrap paper before you do it on your project!

Thanks for stopping by.

Twisted Rice Krispie Treats

2010-05-18T16:24:00.001-05:00

A new take on an old favorite.....my friend Rena, served these at the last Scrapbooking Retreat! They are ever so yummy!

Rice Krispie Treats Twisted!

1 lb. White almond bark
1 Cup Peanut Butter
1 Cup Salted Peanuts
6 Cups Rice Krispies

Melt almond bark in a pan over low heat. Add peanut butter when
almond bark is smooth. In a separate bowl combine Peanuts and Rice
Krispies. Pour almond bark mixture over rice krispies and stir. Pour into
9X13 pan. Let set until firm.

Crop or TREAT!!!!!!

2010-05-14T12:33:00.001-05:00

SCRAPBOOKING AND PAPERCRAFT RETREAT

At the Rockin' R Retreat Center in Temple, TX

Projects from Friends

2010-05-14T10:23:00.002-05:00

Many of you may have seen these RAG BAGS all over the place. If you surf other blogs.

Isn't this the cutest. They are using the Scallop Square Die from Stampin UP for the Big Shot, and are making the bags. I am told by Quilters and Seamstresses, that it is super easy. Quilters have been making them for sometime, but as a DEMO we love showing how the BIG SHOT can help other places just besideds Stampin. My good friend Debbie in Ohio sent me this KITTY patterned one, when I commented on it when she posted a picture. LOVE you DEBBIE! Thanks for the bag!

One of my good friends from High School Melissa made this SASSY little Teapot Note Pad Holder. She said she saw something like it in a shop, and the ARTIST that she is, decided she need to come up with her own! I love her version. She entered it in a contest and last I heard she was one of the finalists chosen. I am not sure if the winner has been decided yet, but I love this cute project! Melissa thanks for the notepad. Love you MEL!

Sara turns 16!!!

2010-05-09T18:26:00.004-05:00

I can remember vividly the day she was born. I had no idea she was going to be a girl. I wanted a girl so bad, I could taste it. Bill & I couldn't agree on a boy's name, she needed to be our Sara Beth. After being a week late and 36 hours of labor Sara came into the world. And now she is 16! All I can say is "WOW!"

When Bill and I married we decided to get pregnant as quickly as we could, so that Cody, wouldn't be so much older than the new baby. We decided to let him help us name her, so he would feel more a part of the whole process. We picked out names we liked and showed him a list. On the list was of course my favorite Sara. He saw the name Sara and remarked it was the prettiest name EVER! He said there is a Cera on "The Land Before Time", he watched that movie all the time! LOL! So, his Cera, became our Sara. We have shared this story with her, and she decided for her birthday this year, she would like a Dinosaur cake, so why not "The Land Before Time".

And yes, it is a RISK to ask your child to name the new baby. When I was pregnant with Samuel, Cody was sure we should be naming him Clint Eastwood Miller! LOL! Ahhhh! No!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

File Folder Notebook Class

2010-05-06T16:12:00.002-05:00

File Folder Notebook & Beaded Pen Class.

This class will be held on Monday, May 24.

I will offer the class at 10 & 6.

Cost of the class $10 for Stamp Club Members & $15 for NON Members.

This is a fun class. I think you will enjoy it. I do have LIMITED SEATING.

RSVP NOW and make arrangements for payment. Payment ensures you have a spot & that I have ENOUGH prepared for everyone.

I must have 3 in each class for it to make. But, I am limited on the MAX number also.

Seats are already booking. CONTACT me NOW!

MAY STAMP CLUB

2010-05-05T17:11:00.003-05:00

We sponged the tools. YES, we sponge colored the tools! LOTS of work, but lots of fun. Then we took some silver paint for the rivets, and CC marker for the hanles on the tools. We used the Sanded Background Stamp. The DSP that we used is "To the Nines Speciality".
Real Red Cardstock & The Grad Set from the new Mini! YEAH!
We used the same techniques on the 6 x 6 page as we did on the Man Card above.

We did a card & matching 6 x 6 Scrapbook page, and a Graduation Card. The Masculine Stamps are in the Regular Catalog, while the graduation Stamps are in the NEW Catalog!

Next Post about the File Folder Notebook & Beaded Pen Class to be held on May 24...watch for more details or check your email for my note! Note on my email, post here and let me know!

The WINNER IS....

2010-05-03T09:22:00.002-05:00

It took me a while to find a random drawing generator...I need to ask around for an EASIER one to use.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE......

Kathy

Kathy please contact me for your stamp set. Keep watching the blog for other contest!

BLOG CANDY CONTEST!!!

2010-04-30T15:43:00.003-05:00

Going to a good home...this HOSTESS ONLY Stamp Set....How can you win my blog candy......

1. Become a blog follower. 2. Leave a comment on this post. Do both of these things and you have one chance to win. If you are already a blog follower, just leave a comment.

If you want to increase your chances to win, get a friend to become a blog follower, and have them leave a comment that you sent them to my blog. You will then gain another entry.

I will use a random drawing app to pick the names. I will draw names LATE on SUNDAY or EARLY on MONDAY!

I hope this works, I would like to do more BLOG giveaways!

Stamp Club April

2010-04-26T09:32:00.003-05:00

I have two stamp clubs, one that meets on Sunday's after church & one that meets Wednesday Mornings! I love them both so much. I can hardly wait some months to see them! They become like a family to me. Family that loves each other, fusses with each other, and shares the ups and downs of life.

My Sunday Club does Cards & a Scrapbook page, while the Wednesday club comprised of mostly beginners and a few advanced members does cards and whatever else I come up with.

Here is the page that we did and the project below it is SUPER EASY!

Do you see those plastic 4 x6 frames at discount stores. I ordered them at Oriental Trading...I think you can get them at most $ stores. I am sure at WALLY WORLD too. You take the frame, you can stamp images, here we punched images and sponged on grass. You turn the frame so that the bottom part the part that is supposed to stand up is actually at the top of the frame, and the place that is supposed to stand up is laying on the table. You slide your image in...or you could do a MINI scrapbook page with a school photo. Then you get a sticky note pad, and I used sticky tape and taped it to the outside of the frame, you can change these easily out. You could also use this idea and do mini calendars on top for your desk.
We did two easy cards that were quick, & simple to reproduce. Then we did a more complicated card with water coloring using the new flower stamp set. If you have questions, want directions or more information just let me know!

I realized that I have lost several of my blog followers, I don't know if it is because, I had fallen off the wagon of posting or they just decided to stop following. I want to get my followers up, so that I will be more likely to post more often. So, I am going to start some contest. Watch later this week for me to announce a blog candy give away. I will be giving away a stamp set. Keep watching for more details.

Rocking @ Rockin R

2010-04-21T13:34:00.003-05:00

As promised pictures of the Retreat! I have more to load, but I am having issues with my resizing them or something! So...watch for more pictures to be posted later.

My BFF Kelley & I. What is the story behind the BUNNY EARS? We just like to be silly & it worked. We had BUNNY POWER all weekend! We had a good time!

My group of girls that came Kelley, Stephanie, Melody, and Jennifer.

Kelley, Stephanie, and Jennifer have all been before. This was Melody's first retreat

and she had to call her husband to bring her more to work on!

I love Scrapbooking @ Rockin' R Retreat Center. We have the best time, and Rena treats everyone so special. If you have never been to a Scrapbooking Retreat, then Rockin R is the place. If you have been to one, and then come check out Rockin R, you will never want to go to another place! I will be Co Hosting another retreat Halloween Weekend. Come Crop or Treat with us! Contact me for more information! Don't delay!

Eastern Blooms Class

2010-04-03T10:54:00.003-05:00

I have scheduled the Eastern Blooms Class.

Whether for Mother’s Day or for any day, this Eastern Blooms card set makes the perfect gift. The bright bold colors of the Thoroughly Modern DP add such a beautiful splash of color to the oversized cards, coordinating envelopes and gusseted envelope holder that your recipients are sure to be wowed!

Date: Thursday, April 16

Time: 10 AM Class & 6 PM Class

Cost: $15 for Stamp Club members & $20 for non club members

Location: My House

To reserve your seat please call or email me:

I MUST have your PAYMENT, before the event! Deadline for payment is MONDAY APRIL 12.

Coming Soon! Eastern Blooms Class!

2010-03-14T17:51:00.003-05:00

March Stamp Club

2010-03-12T13:08:00.002-06:00

This month both clubs did the same projects! We did a BUNNY Card, and I just LOVE it! We used Chocolate Chip CRAFT ink and embossed with clear, added a pearl to the bunny bottom to give it some kick! You will find the Bunny on page 43 of the mini catalog! LOVE IT!

When I saw the Vintage Vogue set in the Mini Catalog...I thought it is NICE, but what can I do with it. Welll....so much...I have seen so many great cards using it! I hope you like my Rich Razzleberry take on the card!

My last card for the month is Using the Faux Burned Techinque. We pretended to burn the corners of torn music.

I am ready to create for next months class....are we there yet?

Thanks again Jennifer for letting me steal the picture of your cards!

Ink Pads

2010-03-03T11:27:00.003-06:00

Different Ink Pads and what to use them for.....

Encore! pads truly are the ultimate way to add a little glitz and shimmer to your cards and tags. This ink is part of our Stampin' Memories scrapbooking line. We have them in Silver & Gold!

■ Adds a rich, metallic look with pigment ink
VERSAMARK You’ll achieve a subtle tone-on-tone effect when you stamp with this watermark ink pad. Any design stamped on our colored card stock will appear a few shades darker than the card stock, giving your project depth and interesting backgrounds. When stamped on text-weight, light-colored papers, the image will look like a watermark; the paper actually becomes slightly transparent.

■ Makes tone-on-tone designs
■ Perfect for resist stamping and heat embossing
StazOn ink is perfect for crisp images on cello bags. Personalize them for birthdays and holidays by stamping right on the cello with this great ink. It's also perfect for watercolouring since the ink is permanent. We carry them in Black, but I have purchased many colors at my local craft stores.
Use Stampin' Up!'s Craft Stampin’ Pads with the assurance that your images will last longer in your scrapbooks and won’t hurt your photos in any way. Craft pads come in the softest pastels and the richest colors—perfect for any scrapbooking or craft project. And Craft ink is great for embossing.

■ Pigment ink
■ Coordinate with exclusive card stock, pastels, and markers

Classic Stampin’ Pads and refills come in a wonderful variety of exclusive Stampin’ Up! colors, grouped in families to make choosing coordinating colors simple. Exclusively designed stamp pad lids fold under to make inking large images like background stamps easy.

■ Water-based dye ink
■ Coordinate with exclusive Stampin’ Up! card stock, pastels, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, and Stampin’ Write markers
■ Softest pastels and richest colors

Diet

2010-03-02T15:32:00.002-06:00

DIET is a 4 Letter word that should be washed down with CHOCOLATE! LOL! Sigh, I need to lose some weight...so I am trying to use healthier recipes and still treat myself...

DIET COKE CAKE

1 box of regular or low-fat cake mix

1 12-ounce can of diet Coke®

Use any regular or low-fat cake mix and add the diet Coke. Bake the cake according to the package directions.

You can frost the cake a couple of different ways... Sprinkle the cake with confectioners sugar, or mix together an 8-ounce tub of Cool Whip and 1 package of sugar-free, fat-free pudding mix (any flavor appropriate to cake flavor).

Variations:

diet Coke/Chocolate Cake Mix diet

Sprite/White Cake Mix

diet Cherry Coke®/Cherry Cake Mix

IF you cut it into 12 pieces...they are 1 point each on WW points!

Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients

1 (18 ounce) box spice cake mix
15 ounces canned pumpkin

Directions

Mix all ingredients in mixer.
Makes 12 to 24 muffins. Depending on how big you like them. I use a Pampered Chef pan and it makes 12 nice sized ones.
Cook for 20-25 minutes at 350°F.
They will be very moist.

I love to fix this with CHOCOLATE Cake...oh so yummy.
Sam doesn't like Chocolate...(I know CRAZY KID)...so we tried it with a vanilla cake...it was so yummy!

If you make 12 of them they are 1 point each on the WW point system!

Easter Bunny Class Coming in March

2010-02-18T15:41:00.007-06:00

In this class you’ll create these super cute bunny baskets to hold a few special Easter treats, and the 8 matching monochromatic Easter cards. All eight of the Easter cards are a perfect size to give on their own or with an Easter plant or treats!

Date: March 6 (Saturday)

Time: 10:00 AM

Cost: $15 Stamp Club Member Cost

$20 Non Member Cost

Location: MY HOUSE

 Class SIZE is limited, if the class fills up I will offer a second class.

   Supplies • Stamps:  Eggcoutrements, Teeny Tiny Wishes • Ink: Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Orchid Opulence Classic inks, Basic Black Stampin Write marker, VersaMark pad • Paper: Shades of Spring DP, Pretty in Pink CS, Certainly Celery CS, Orchid Opulence CS, Whisper White CS, Sahara Sands CS, Soft Suede CS, Note Cards and Envelopes • Accessories: Sticky Strip, Snail adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 2-way glue pen, silver brads, Iridescent Ice Embossing powder, Grid paper, paper snips, paper-piercing tool, mat pack, bone folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin’ Scrub and Mist, paper trimmer and Scoring blade, heat tool, ruler , Stamping Sponges, 1” circle punch, 1 ¼” circle punch, 1 ?” circle punch, Scallop circle punch, 1 ¾” circle punch, Designer Label punch, Word Window punch, Horizontal Slit punch, Uni-ball White Signo gel pen, pencil Broom/Brush bristles

Let's talk Scissors!

2010-02-17T15:43:00.002-06:00

The scissors on the top are the Rubber Craft Scissors!

You have to try these scissors to believe them. With these scissors, trimming rubber is a breeze! These scissors are not only comfortable to use, and very sharp, they also cut right to the tip, so you can make small, careful snips on your rubber. Once you’ve tried our Craft & Rubber Scissors, you’ll wonder how you survived without them!

■ Perfect for trimming rubber stamps before mounting
■ Economical and heavy duty
■ Best rubber-cutting scissors available
■ Short blade length allows more control, 1-3/4" blade length
■ Cuts to tip, allowing access to very tight corners
■ Oversized cushioned handles reduce muscle fatigue

The second pair of scissors are the paper snips!

These small, thin-bladed scissors are perfect for all your paper trimming needs. They are great for snipping that little bits of paper or when trimming ribbon. Thin stainless steel blades for perfect cutting in even the tiniest areas.

■ Precision-ground tips allow for cutting all the way to the end of the blades
■ Protective shield (safety cover)
■ Comfort-grip handle for ease in cutting
■ Exclusive to Stampin’ Up!
■ 2-1/2" blade

The last pair of scissors are the Craft Scissors...I LOVE THEM! I was loving another pair of scissors by a guy called Tim, but after having these, I love them so much! If you are left handed it is a problem...sorry lefties, including my Sara!

After you use these scissors just once, you’ll be hooked. These high-quality scissors cut ribbon and card stock easily and beautifully. You’ll get a smooth, clean cut every time.

■ Stainless steel blades, 3-3/4" blade length
■ Perfect for cutting card stock and ribbon
■ Ergonomically designed to fit your hand (right-handed)
■ Heavy duty

Prayer!

2010-02-16T13:47:00.002-06:00

I received this email from 3 different people and it spoke to me, and after the third time, I decided I should share it with you.

Heavenly Father,

Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity.

Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love. Matt 5:44

More Card Ideas

2010-02-13T12:51:00.003-06:00

I took the cards we did in Stamp Club and changed them around and made some new ones. What do you think?

More February Club Photos

2010-02-10T16:17:00.003-06:00

We did the Heart Treat Holders in both clubs. We used a craft stick and pad it look like a sucker! I think it turned out cute! We make pages in the Sunday Club, and in the Wednesday Club we made the nugget holder. The tutorial for the Nugget Holder is on Split Coast Stampers!

Coming soon...MORE CARD creations! And information on types of scissors and inks....

Do you have questions about stamping or techniques? Shoot me an email, and I will try to answer your question! Enjoy!

February Stamp Club

2010-02-09T08:27:00.002-06:00

Here is a picture of two of the February Projects. Missing is the Valentines Treat Holder, and Scrapbook Page. Thank Jennifer for the picture. Sunday's Club does Cards & a page, while Wednesdays Club does not do a page, but another project. I will post a picture of the page, and the Treat Holder, and the Wednesday Project. That should be my next post.

I hope you love the EASEL Card. It is so fun!

Fall Photo Shoot!

2010-02-08T17:38:00.006-06:00

These are the photos from our Fall Photo Shoot! I think they turned out great! Thanks Jessica for another great photo shoot! Check out the link to Jessica's site...if you are in the Kansas area, she is your girl for a great photo shoot!

Paula's Old-Fashioned Meat Loaf

2010-02-06T13:38:00.002-06:00

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1 1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 chopped bell pepper

1 egg lightly beaten

8 ounces of canned diced tomatoes with juice

1/2 cup of quick cooking oats

TOPPING:

1/3 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon prepared mustard

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375

Mix all meatloaf ingredients well and place in a baking dish. Shape into loaf. (I use a loaf dish)

Mix ingredients for topping and spread on loaf. Bake 1 hour!

I AM NOT a FAN of MEATLOAF! But this is YUMMY!

Getting to Know you in 2010

2010-02-02T09:26:00.002-06:00

I know we have all played this in the past, but it will be fun to do it again!! If you are tagged at the end of this post, copy and paste this into your blog and change the answers to make them yours!!! :) If you are not tagged, it is not because I don't love you--I just figured you would not play along! ;)

Hope you have fun getting to know me a little better and then sharing yourself with others!!!

* 1. What is your occupation right now? Stampin Up & Scentsy Consultant & CEO of my house.

*2. What color are your socks right now? NONE

*3. What are you listening to right now? CSI Rerun

*4. What was the last thing that you ate? Oatmeal & 1 Turkey Sausage link

* 5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yep!

*6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Sara's School Attendance lady

*7. Do you like the person who tagged you? Ginger...Well of course

*8. How old are you today? 46 years old

*9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? College Football & Basketball

*10. What is your favorite drink? Sweet Tea

*11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes

*12. Favorite food? Anything Mexican

*13. What is the last movie you watched? Sherlock Holmes

*14. Favorite day of the year? Christmas

*15. How do you vent anger? different ways

*16. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbie anything

*17. What is your favorite thing to do this season? Bake

*18. Cherries or Blueberries? Cherries

*19. Do you want your friends to participate? Sure!

*20. Who is the most likely to participate? I don't know...

*21. Who is most likely not to participate? Not sure

*23. When was the last time you cried? About a month ago..

*24. What is on the floor of your closet? shoes and bags

*25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are tagging?Umm.....

*26. What did you do last night? Took Nyquil and slept!!

* 27. What are you most afraid of? Disappointing people

*28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Cheese please

*29. Favorite dog breed? too many pretty ones

*30. Favorite day of the week? Fridays

*31. How many states have you lived in? 2 states & one other country

*32. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

*33. What is your favorite flower? Daisy's and Carnations

And here are some that Amanda added:

*34. Besides the Bible, what is the best book you have ever read? Marly & Me

*35. What is something you would like to change about yourself? My weight

*36. What is something interesting that most people don't know about you? I cry easy during movies.

*37. What is something you try very hard to do each and every day? Praise God.

*38. If you could trade places with anyone in the world for the next 24 hours, who would it be? Wouldn't trade. Who knows the battles others are fighting. They make look like they have it all on the outside, but on the inside.........

*39. What is your dream job? Owning my own scrapbooking store.

*40. Why do I always think I need to make a questionnaire come out on an even number? :)

Melissa, Rosie, Carole

RETREAT OVERNIGHT SPOTS SOLD OUT!

2010-01-29T19:25:00.002-06:00

Retreat Over Night Spots Sold Out!

I can put you on a waiting list for a cancellation!

Or contact me about being a day cropper!

Crystal's Croppers Retreat

2010-01-27T07:20:00.002-06:00

Join us for a Crystal’s Croppers Retreat!

At the WONDERFUL Rockin R Retreat Center

APRIL 9-11, 2010

Come join our small group of FUN LOVING Stampers & Scrapbookers. We make it a SOCIAL Event that is sometimes entertaining, but often inspiring!

Do you need motivation & the resources to complete your albums, then this is the event for you!

Some of us are up into the wee hours of the morning, some of us go to bed early. We have early risers, and late risers! I am sure you will enjoy a good time with us!

April 9 to April 11

Hours: Friday 4pm-Sunday 5pm (optional Thursday night $35)

Meals: 6 served...Friday dinner to Sunday lunch.

Fees:

Overnighter: $199

Optional Thursday night: add $35 no extra meals

DayCropper: $135 You receive everything an OverNighter receives except sleeping accommodations & use of a FRED

Saturday Only: $55 Includes Saturday Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP ON ROCKIN R'S SITE for this event! Sign up with me, as I am a co hostess, and would love to have CREDIT for having you attend and be a part of Crystal's Croppers!

PLEASE READ....Policies:

• Your $55 deposit holds your spot, reservations are not secure until deposits are received.

• Balance of Fee due 30 days before the retreat. If balance is not paid on time, your reservation and $55 deposit may be forfeit.

• If you register with less than 30 days to the event payment in full is due immediately.

• $55 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable to another event. It is forfeit upon cancellation, unless you arrange to sell your spot to another.

• Balance of fees is transferrable (not refundable) to another event ONLY if your space filled from a waiting list. You may arrange to sell your spot to another.

• As all cancellations, by nature, are unexpected there is NO EXCEPTION to the cancellations policy.

• We offer a Cancellation Transfer Option below...If you purchase this non-refundable option you may transer your fee minus the $55 deposit to another event w/in one year of cancelled event. This option must be purchased at the time the full fee or balance is paid. (This is only with Crystal’s Cropping Events)

• Pay Pal payments incur a $3.00 convenience fee, which is added at the time your bill is processed.

IF you want to pay by pay pal, please email me and I will send you a bill through paypal.

• Mail Checks made out to Crystal Miller, 608 Pomegranate Circle, Harker Heights, Tx 76548 

Fee Options:

Deposit $55.00 (36 in stock)

OverNighter Balance $144.00 (30 in stock)

OverNighter Full Fee $199.00 (30 in stock)

DayCropper Balance $80.00 (6 in stock)

DayCropper Full fee $135.00 (6 in stock)

Thee-Nighter Full Fee $230.00 (30 in stock)

Three-Nighter Balance $179.00 (30 in stock)

Saturday Only $55.00 (6 in stock)

Cancellation Transfer Options:

None

Overnighter Cancellation Transfer Option add $17.00

DayCropper Cancellation Transfer Option add $15.00

Saturday Cropper Cancellation Transfer Option add $5.00

Sunday's January Stamp Club

2010-01-13T14:30:00.003-06:00

We did two easy Valentines Cards, and a Simple Scrapbook page!

Thanks to Jennifer for the photo!

Please check out my site for great specials for Sale A Bration & the Occasions Mini!

Spend $50 and get a stamp set FREE!

New Year/New Life

2010-01-03T08:50:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year!

I have some New Years Resolutions! But, will I keep them! I have good intentions. Maybe if I think of them as LIFE CHANGES, instead of Resolutions then they will stick.

So, here are mine in no certain order:

1. Lose Weight

2. Blog at least once a week

3. Make 5 Christmas Cards a month

4. Scrapbook more

5. Continue to work on my Road Rage

6. Continue to not let toxic relationships work there way into my life.

7. Spend more time with family

8. HAVE A HEALTHY LIFE!

You can help me. If I don't blog once a week, email me and ask me where my blog is for that week!

A MONTH OF COOKIES!!!

2009-12-01T18:02:00.001-06:00

A Month of Cookies

One basic cookie dough recipe makes the building blocks for 30 different kinds of cookies -- just in time for the holidays.

Inspired to bake? Make cookies for a cause. Visit glad.com/gladtogive to see how some lovin' from your oven can help out Cookies for Kids' Cancer.

Basic Cookie Dough

Makes about 3 1/2 dozen cookies

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature

1-cup sugar

1 large egg

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well combined.

2. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the flour mixture until just combined. Tear off 2 sheets of waxed paper, each about 12-inches. Spoon half the dough lengthwise down the center of each sheet of paper forming a strip about 8 inches long. With your hands, roll each strip into a log about 2 inches wide, and 1 inch thick. Wrap the logs up in the paper.

3. Freeze several hours until firm or freeze up to 3 months

4. To bake: preheat oven to 400. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap frozen dough and with a sharp knife, slice 1/4-inch thick. Bake until golden around the edges, rotating baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back. With a wide, thin metal spatula, remove from baking sheets to wire rack to cool completely.

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1. Ginger Cookies: Add 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger and 1/8 teaspoon dry mustard powder to flour mixture. Beat 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger in to mixture when adding egg.

2. Peanut Cookies: Grind enough peanuts to make 1/3 cup finely ground. Reduce flour to 1 1/3 cups and stir ground peanuts into remaining flour mixture. Add 2 tablespoons finely chopped peanuts when adding egg.

3. Espresso-Almond Cookies: Add 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder to flour mixture. Reduce sugar to 2/3 cup and add 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar. Add 1/8 teaspoon almond extract when adding vanilla. Fold in 1/3 cup sliced almonds after adding flour.

4. Molasses Cookies: Increase flour to 1 3/4 cups, swap in 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar for 1/4 cup granulated, and add 3 tablespoons molasses when beating butter and sugar.

5. Citrus Cookies: Beat 2 tablespoons grated lemon, lime or a combo into mixture when adding egg.

6. Malted Milk Cookies: Add 2 tablespoons malted milk powder to flour mixture. Add 1/4 cup crushed malted milk balls when adding egg.

7. Cornmeal-Currant Cookies: Replace 1/3 cup of flour with 1/3 cup finely ground cornmeal. Stir 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest and 1/3 cup currants into mixture after adding flour.

8. Red-Hot Cookies: Finely crush 1/3 cup of red-hot candies and fold in when adding flour mixture.

9. Spice Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon allspice to flour mixture.

10. Peanut Butter Chips: Reduce butter to 6 tablespoons. Add 2 tablespoons peanut butter. Fold in 3 tablespoons peanut butter chips when adding flour mixture.

11. Brown Butter: Melt butter over low heat until lightly browned and fragrant (do this in a pan that isn’t dark so you can see the change in color). Chill butter until firm then proceed with recipe as directed.

12. Toasted Coconut: Toast 1 cup of angel-flake coconut (the sweetened kind you get in the supermarket in bags) until golden brown. Grind a little more than half to get 1/3 cup ground and replace 1/3 cup of the flour with the ground coconut. Fold the remaining coconut in when adding the egg.

13. Chocolate-Chile Cookies: Remove 3 tablespoons of flour and replace with 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder. Add 3/4 teaspoon ancho or chipotle chile powder, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon to flour mixture.

14. Granola Cookies: Coarsely shop 1/2 cup of your favorite granola and stir in when adding flour mixture.

15. Orange-Cranberry: Fold 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest and 1/4 cup finely chopped dried cranberries into dough after adding flour mixture.

16. Black Forest: Beat 2 ounces of melted and cooled semisweet chocolate into dough after adding egg. Fold in ¼ cup finely chopped dried cherries after adding flour mixture.

17. White and Dark Chocolate: Remove 3 tablespoons of flour and replace with 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder. Reduce granulated sugar to 3/4 cup and add 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar. Fold in 1/3 cup chopped white chocolate after adding flour.

18. Double Chocolate: Remove 3 tablespoons of flour and replace with 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder. Fold in 1/3-cup mini chocolate chips after folding in flour.

19. Rocky Road: Beat 1/3-cup marshmallow fluff when beating butter and sugar. Increase vanilla to 1 teaspoon. Fold in 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans after folding in flour.

20. Carrot Cookies: Beat 1/2 cup of finely grated carrot into the mixture when adding egg. Swap in 1/3 cup maple sugar for 1/3 cup of regular sugar.

21. Pine Nut Cookies: Fold 1/4 cup of pine nuts into dough after adding flour mixture. Add 1/8 teaspoon almond extract along with vanilla.

22. Crispy Rice Cookies: Stir 2/3 cup of crisp puffed rice cereal into mixture when beating in flour mixture.

23. Sesame Cookies: Beat 2 teaspoons dark sesame oil and 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds into mixture when adding egg.

24. Apricot-Anise Cookies: Fold in 1 1/2 teaspoons anise seed and 1/4 cup finely chopped dried apricots after adding flour.

25. Cashew Cookies: Reduce butter to 6 tablespoons and add 2 tablespoons cashew butter. Add 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg to flour mixture. Fold in 1/3 cup finely chopped salted cashews after adding flour.

26. Sunflower Seed Cookies: Reduce butter to 6 tablespoons and add 2 tablespoons sunflower seed butter. Fold 2 tablespoons toasted hulled sunflower seeds and 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest to mixture after adding flour mixture.

27. Whole-Wheat Cinnamon Sugar Cookies: Replace 2/3 cup of flour with 2/3-cup whole-wheat pastry flour. Add 1-teaspoon ground cinnamon to flour mixture. Add 2 tablespoons brown sugar to sugar and butter mixture.

28. Toasted Oatmeal Cookies: Toast 1 1/2 cups rolled or quick cooking oats until fragrant and golden brown. Grind 1 cup of the oats and once ground measure and substitute for an equal amount of flour. Reduce sugar to 3/4 cup and add 1/4 cup light brown sugar. Fold remaining 1/2 cup oats into dough after adding flour.

29. Butterscotch Cookies: Reduce sugar to 1/2 cup and add 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar. Fold in 1/2 cup butterscotch morsels after adding flour.

30. Tropical Cookies: Fold 1/3 cup finely chopped dried pineapple, 1/4 cup finely chopped dried banana chips, and 2 teaspoons grated lime zest after adding flour.

Harker Heights High Homecoming

2009-11-06T09:20:00.003-06:00

Homecoming was Oct 24, and I failed to post it. I am behind! Here are the pictures of it, and of our Halloween Pumpkins!

Last Weekend

2009-11-06T09:15:00.002-06:00

I spent last weekend at a Scrapbooking retreat with my buddies! IT was so much fun! I plan on hosting a retreat in April. I will post more information on the retreat, and please everyone come!

Recipe Share

2009-10-21T13:56:00.001-05:00

Strawberry Bread by Darice
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup suga
r3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 pint strawberries
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup chopped nuts, (optional)
Preheat oven to 350. Combine flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, and sugar. Mix well. In separate bowl mix eggs and oil, add to dry ingredients. Stir in nuts. Fold in strawberries just until moistened.Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes.

Zucchini Bread by Cindy
3 cups flour
3 beaten eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup salad oil
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla1 tsp. baking soda
1 small can of crushed pineapple, drained
1 tsp. salt 2 cups zucchini, shredded with seeds & all
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup nuts, optional
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two (2) 9x5 loaf pans.Combine all dry ingredients in large bowl and mix well. Add all other ingredients and mix well. Pour into two (2) 9x5 greased pans and bake for one hour or until done.

And the winner is....

2009-10-08T07:55:00.003-05:00

ROSIE MORALES!!!!

Rosie was the only Stamper to submit her work. She will have a FREE Stamp Set in her bag next week! Look at the cards below and look how she made my designs her VERY OWN designs! Awesome work!

October Stamp Club & Challenge

2009-10-06T14:22:00.002-05:00

Here are the cards from the October Stamp Club. We celebrated World Card Making Day, by making 3 VERY VERY Simple Cards. The Real Red snowflake one. The Soft Suede one that the only thing that the greeting is the only Stamping on the Card, and then the Tree Card. I showed them the 3rd tree card, but told them there were many ways to pump it up or make it even easier. Pat and Kathy asked about Dazzling Diamonds, and I added it to the last Tree Card. On the one layer simple white tree card, I did a dusting of dazzling diamonds too!

I have challenged my stampers to send me their pumped up version of ONE or ALL of the cards. I will place them on my blog later this week and we will vote for the winner! The winner will win a cool stamp set! Keep watching!

Recipe Share

2009-10-02T08:20:00.000-05:00

Rhea’s Chicken Spaghetti
2 TBSP Butter
¼ cup chopped green pepper
¼ cup chopped onion
1 to 2 cups of chopped chicken
2 cups chicken broth
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
½ tsp of salt
1 -2oz can cut mushrooms
1 cup of uncooked spaghetti(not sure what 1 cup is..I just add enough for my family!)

Place butter in skillet on medium heat. Add onion & green pepper. Cook until tender but not brown. Add chopped chicken & broth to mixture. Stir in soup. Add uncooked spaghetti, salt and mushrooms. Cover. Turn to low heat or simmer and cook 25 minutes, or until done. Can be fixed ahead and put in a 8x8 or 9x13 pan and refrigerated. Then you just warm it and serve.

Tree Trimming Class

2009-09-28T12:40:00.004-05:00

Get in the holiday spirit with this festive matchbox and co-ordinating card set featuring Stampin’ Up!’s Tree Trimmings stamp set & Merry Moments Designer Paper. This is a great gift idea, and will be easy for your to reproduce many of them at home on your own. People are already RSVPing for this class. IF you take this class and the Autumn Meadows Class, I will have a special surprise bonus for you!

Date: Sunday, Oct. 18

Time: 1:30

Cost: $20. (limited seating) Seat not reserved until payment is in my hand.

Location: My House!!!

Please email me to sign up for this class: SellsBskts@aol.com

Supplies

• Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Four the Holidays

• Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, Garden Green and Chocolate Chip Classic inks

• Paper: Merry Moments DP; Chocolate Chip CS, Very Vanilla CS, Real Red CS, Medium Very Vanilla Envelopes

• Accessories: Real Red 5/8” Grosgrain ribbon, Chocolate Chip 5/8” Grosgrain ribbon, Old Olive 1 ¼” Striped Grosgrain ribbon, Gold elastic cord, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, 2-way glue pen, Paper Snips, paper-piercing tool ,mat pack, Scallop Edge punch, bone folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin’ Scrub and Mist, paper trimmer and scoring blade, pencil and ruler, Sticky Strip, Snail adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 1/16” handheld circle punch, Stamping Sponge.

Autumn Meadows Class

2009-09-25T10:06:00.006-05:00

Explore some fun techniques using Stampin' Pastels as you create this beautiful autumn-themed card set with matching purse. This class is a Level 2 to @ 1/2. Plan on working on this class for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. "Artwork © Stampin' Up!"

Date: Saturday, Oct 17

Time: 1:00 PM

Cost: $20. Seating is limited on this class.

Your seat will be reserved when payment is received.

Location: My house!

Please email me to sign up for this class: SellsBskts@aol.com

Supplies

• Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Word Phrases

• Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic ink, VersaMark ink and Stampin’ Pastels

• Paper: Autumn Meadows DP; Chocolate Chip CS, Very Vanilla CS, More Mustard CS, Really Rust CS, Medium Very Vanilla Envelopes

• Accessories: : Chocolate Chip 5/8” Grosgrain ribbon, Gold elastic cord, Gold brads, White Embossing Powder, Button Latte, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Snips, paper-piercing tool ,mat pack, Scallop Edge punch, bone folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin’ Scrub and Mist, paper trimmer and scoring blade, pencil and ruler, Sticky Strip, Snail adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Stamping Sponges, Blender Pens, Sponge Daubers

Girls Nite Out Stamp Camp

2009-09-22T16:53:00.004-05:00

Girls Nite Out Stamp Camp....

Friday, September 25 @ my house!

Here are the cards the ladies will make!

Keep watching for future class updates! I am working on an Autumn Class and a Tree Trimming Class! Check back often!

Recipe Share

2009-09-17T15:16:00.002-05:00

My friend Barb (aka McStamper) shared this recipe! It sounds so YUMMY! I want to try it soon!

Beer Cheese Soup
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 1/2 medium carrots, finely chopped ( 3/4 cup)
1 medium stalk celery, finely chopped ( 1/2 cup)
1 small onion, finely chopped ( 1/4 cup)
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup Bisquick® Original or Reduced Fat baking mix
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 cup milk
4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (16 ounces)
1/2 cup beer
Melt margarine in Dutch oven over medium heat.
Cook carrots, celery and onion in margarine about 10 minutes,
stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender.
Mix broth, baking mix, pepper and red pepper until smooth.
Gradually stir into vegetable mixture.
Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Boil and stir 1 minute.
Stir in milk and cheese.
Heat until cheese is melted. Stir in beer.
6 servings.

I am in a baking mood the last month...so, my friend Debbie in Ohio shared this recipe with me!
I need to try it soon. Maybe this week!

Peaches N' Cream Cake
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking powder
2 packages vanilla pudding (1 regular and 1 instant)
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 large can sliced peaches in syrup (drain and reserve the syrup)
2- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
6 tablespoons peach syrup
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Combine dry ingredients (first 4), add eggs and milk.
Mix 2 minutes at medium speed. Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Arrange drained peaches over batter. Mix softened cream cheese, sugar and syrup
for 2 minutes at medium speed. Spoon over peaches. Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over cream cheese layer. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Refrigerate leftovers. Delicious warm.

September Stamp Club

2009-09-15T08:23:00.002-05:00

September Stamp Club...had me in a Fall & Halloween mood. The Scrapbook page is Fall, but easily you could put the Jack O Lantern Face on one of the Pumpkins! I love that Stamp Set it is great for Fall!

The Twick Or Tweet Card is a great Technique called Dragged Madras! Awesome Technique! Email me for more information.

I am disappointed at the scanning of the third card. I guess I should take a picture. I love the TREAT CUPS, and this is a card using the new Treat Cups found in the Winter Mini Catalog! Call or email me to place an order, or just visit my website and order straight from there!

Have a great week!

Busy in my Stamp Room!

2009-09-08T06:42:00.002-05:00

I have been working in my stamp room. I have been creating cards that are quick and easy to reproduce. My favorite is the ribbon. I did it in Taken with Teal Craft ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month & Teal Ribbons are the Color for Ovarian Cancer Awareness! If you need information on Ovarian Cancer just contact me! Or Visit http://www.ovariancancer.org/

I have 2 cards and 1 Scrapbook page designed for Septembers Stamp Club. I am working hard to design the cards for Girls Nite Out Stamp Camp on Sept 25, at the time of this post I still have 2 seats available!

Taco Soup

2009-09-06T18:27:00.004-05:00

I am ready for more Fall like weather. I love soups, & cornbread, all those kind of Fall Foods!

Below is one of my favorite soup recipes! I like to do this for my Scrapbook friends. It is yummy and so easy. My kids are not the fondest of this recipe, not sure why, we like Tacos! I think they just love my Potato Soup and Chicken & Dumplings better!

Taco Soup

Ingredients:
1 small onion
1pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can chicken broth or beef broth
1can red beans (pinto beans)
1 can chili beans(I leave these out often & make it two cans of pinto or even add black beans
1 can diced tomatoes (I USE ROTEL)
1 cup of cooked rice
1lb EXTRA lean ground beef
***¼ cup of Mild Pico De Gallo(I use the HEB Brand) Found in produce section.

Directions saute onions.Brown Ground Beef. Start opening cans! take out big pot and begin by putting the cans of tomatoes in with the beans add all the other cans and the onions. (do not drain the beans do drain the corn if canned.)stir it up add the taco mix. bring the soup up to just a boil(do not boil more than a moment)cover and simmer for 1 hour
( you can do the simmering in a crock pot for a hour.

Scentsy

2009-08-30T20:55:00.002-05:00

I am very excited to start my Scentsy Business. What is Scentsy?

Company ProfileFounded : 2004

Mission Statement
To bring value to the world by providing an industry leading, family-friendly business opportunity selling creative, artistic, high-quality products that warm the heart, enliven the senses, and inspire the soul.

Our StoryScentsy “Makes Perfect Scents”. We are pioneering the move away from the smoky, sooty candles of today to safe, healthy, fun and creative ways to bring the scents that make us happy into our lives. We offer over 80 high quality fragrances delivered in a variety of ways. Our flagship product is the Authentic Scentsy Bar, an impressively fragrant wickless candle bar that is warmed in a warmer rather than burned with a flame.Each year thousands of homes are damaged or destroyed by burning candles. The enthusiastic response we receive from our customers, our consultants, and more particularly fire-fighters, reflects the nationwide concern over the devastation burning candles can cause. This was our initial motivation – to create a safe alternative to burning candles. Our passion has grown from offering a safe alternative to offering a better alternative. Going wickless has allowed us to offer the public a better, more cost effective method of scenting their world.

How We Work
A secret combination of ingredients is used to create a pool of melted wax, which is transformed into a wickless candle bar. Only the finest scented oils are hand-picked to give an array of aromas. The melted wax is poured into reusable containers for easy storage.
The wax is poured in an assortment of containers, giving the consultants party testers, basket testers and of course, Scentsy Bars to share with their customers. Room sprays and car candles are also produced in the warehouse.

Scentsy hand packs each order, ensuring the correct items come right to your door in a timely manner. By using UPS, your order can be tracked the moment it leaves the warehouse. Orders are typically shipped directly to the hostess, or can be shipped direct for a minimal cost.
Our hand-picked staff adds a little bit of Scentsy Spirit into each hand-packed box.Scentsy believes that every employee, consultant, hostess and customer are part of the Scentsy Family.

ASK ME ABOUT HOSTING A SCENTEVENT TODAY!

Recipe share time!!!!

2009-08-30T19:34:00.001-05:00

Crystal's Pumpkin Roll
2/3 cup of a can of pumpkin pie mix
1 cup of sugar
3/4 cup of flour
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of baking soda
1/2 tsp of cinnamon
3 eggs
MIX UNTIL SMOOTH!
Preheat oven to 375.
Place wax paper or parchment paper on the bottom of your Pampered Chef Bar pan(I guess any bar pan would work, I just love their stoneware! Use whatever you might make a jellyroll in). Grease the paper. POUR in Mixture.
IT LOOKS REALLY THIN!
Bake @ 375 for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven. Turn upside down on a kitchen towel. Pull off the wax/parchment paper. Roll the roll up in the towel. Place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Ingredients for inside of your pumpkin roll
1-8oz package of softened cream cheese
1 cup of powdered sugar
2 tsp of butter
1 tsp of vanilla
1 cup of chopped nuts (I prefer pecans!)
Stir or Mix ingredients until smooth!
Take roll out of fridge. Unroll. Spread the cream cheese ingredients onto the roll. Remove from towel. Roll up your roll.
I put mine back in the fridge, and then just before serving, I slice it.
This is a holiday favorite at our house. It is one of my most requested desserts for the holidays!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

2009-08-24T19:41:00.002-05:00

First Day of School! I love SCHOOL SUPPLIES! What will I do when I have no more children in school! My children tell me I can buy school supplies for the needy and when they have kids, I can take them school supply shopping. As they get older, they sure don't need as much of the cool things. The smell of a box of new crayons. Sigh!

Here are the first day pictures...Sam is no longer thrilled with these first day photo ops!

July & August Cards

2009-08-04T19:54:00.005-05:00

I have been a blog slacker! I haven't posted July's cards, and it is time
post my August Cards! Enjoy!

We did two techinques that were really cool.

GET FOILED! Take your foil and an embossing folder and run it thru your cuddlebug or big shot! It is awesome. Be careful not to handle it too much. Use the Mono Adhesive Glue it is awesome for this project. The next technique is also with the embossing folders. It is called Texturz Ink Wash, Run it thru the cuddlebug or big shot. Contact me for more information! So cool.

August Techniques..

Faux Clouds...FUN and EASY...Punch a scallop circle out and make cool clouds...contact me for more information

Faux Lantern...do you have a paper crimper...you can make the Faux Lantern!!!

New Catalog & Corner Bookmark!

2009-07-02T13:10:00.004-05:00

I am very excited about the new catalog! Wahoo! It is ready to go! Just click on the catalog picture and you can go to my site and view it all! Plus my calendar is there, and card ideas!

In July every Monday they will have a special! Check out this weeks steal of a deal! Way cool! You can order directly from my site!

Last night at my catalog party, we made a cute little make and take! IT was so EASY!

Cut a 4 x 4 square. Score it at 2 and turn and score at 2 again. Cut out one square. Fold & adhere one side to the other. YOU SHOULD still have an opening, to put on the corner of a book, or pages of a magazine or your stampin up catalog! See pictures for ideas! Email me if you need help!

I am trying to figure out how to load a document to my site, so you can click on it and print it out. I have a great wish list with index that would come in handy with the new catalog! If you know how to do it, send me an email!

Casserole Frenzy

2009-06-28T14:29:00.002-05:00

Sunday was "Casserole Frenzy" at church. The youth are raising money to help curb the cost of Summer Camp. I did 4 casseroles, and 2 desserts! Sara and Sam are both going to Church Summer Camp this summer! I did King Ranch Chicken Casserole, Beef Stroganoff, Green Bean Casserole, Corn Casserole, Brownies, and Dump Cake. I thought I would share two of the recipes!

King Ranch Chicken Casserole
1 small onion
6 chicken breast
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can of Rotel tomatos with diced chilies
1 cup of chicken broth
1 large bag of corn chips, I use dorritos(crush them in the bag)
2 packages of Monterey Jack & Colby Cheese

Boil chicken until done, debone and cut into small chunks. Be sure to save broth or use can broth. Mix cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, Rotel tomatoes and chicken broth; heat on stove. Layer 1/2 of chicken, 1/2 broth mix, 1/2 chips, 1/2 onion, 1/2 cheese, (much like a lasagana), and repeat above. Bake 35 to 40 minutes at 350 in a 9 x 13 greased pan.
**sometimes if I want it cheesier, I mix velvetta cheese with the rotel, and don't use the grated cheese, except to top it with!

Corn Casserole
1 can of whole kernel yellow corn, undrained
1 can of cream style yellow corn
1 8 oz carton of sour cream
2 eggs beaten
1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 stick of butter melted

Mix all together and pour into large, lightly oiled casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 55 to 60 minutes. ****My friend Rena adds a cup of cheese to hers, and it is so yummy!

What are a Sister, a Brother, and a Father?

2009-06-18T07:29:00.004-05:00

From the outside world one might look at my family and think it is a strange mix, a dysfunctional family. Well, I don’t see it that way. My parents divorced when I was 13. They both remarried. From my step dad’s side of the family, I never really knew his children; they were grown and had kids of their own. My dad he remarried my senior year in high school, but I had known my step mom, step sister and step brother, since I was 11. I have secrets with my step sister Kristin, just like my sister Julie. I can’t imagine my life without them in it. My step Mom passed away, many years ago, and my dad remarried several years later. My new step mom Carla has two grown children, and it has been fun getting to know them. The thing is we still do Thanksgiving & Christmas with my step sister (Kristin) & step brother (Craig) and their families. Many of asked me or my children why? She isn’t your step mom anymore, so they really aren’t your family, you aren’t related by blood? I never understand that question. I am 45 years old, and have known them for what seems like a life time, I can’t just turn off the switch that says oh, you’re no longer the person I have shared so much of my life with, I can’t tell my kids, those are no longer your cousins, or they never really were, cause we aren’t related by blood. To me, they will always be a part of me, a part of who I am, who I have become, a part of my life.

What about a dad? I know having a son from a previous marriage; a dad isn’t always the one you are born with. My husband considers Cody just as much his, as Cody’s biological father considers Cody to be his. My husband has had a huge part in raising him and making him into the young man he is becoming.

As for me, I love my dad more than I can say. He drives me crazy with his, always right, his way or the highway attitude. Our personalities and how things work in life often clash. BUT, I value his opinion on many things. I think it is that way often with father’s and daughters. I know, if I called him at 6 in the morning with a problem, he would be at my house in an instant. I know this, because he has. When I divorced, I moved where I live now, because, I knew him & my step mom would be there for me, when I needed them. But, I have a secret, which only a handful of people know. The man I have called my dad all my life, the man my children call Granddad, is not my biological father. My birth certificate will tell you different. It will tell you he is my father. Why? Because, he adopted me not long after he married my mother. No one would ever know, he raised me, put me through college, gave me away at one wedding, and laughed when I eloped to Vegas for the other wedding, and he came to the births of my children. He is my dad, nothing can change that. I have known since I was 7 that I was adopted, but didn’t really understand. When I was 13 and my parents divorced we moved back to Childress, where my biological father lives. I saw him several times in town, but never got to know him. If you’re from Childress, that seems strange, because it is a small town. He did try to make contact with me a few times, but I felt so strange about it, and wasn’t mature enough to handle the situation, and he didn’t push it. Later in life when I married, I started wondering about that part of my life, and made contact with him, it hasn’t been much more than a letter here or there, or a Christmas card, and occasionally a phone call. After my recent Cancer scare, I decided, I couldn’t let it go on this way. I needed to know the man who had a part in bringing me into this world. I have a sister, and brothers, I have never known. Soon, I will venture back to Childress to meet my other family. I am excited, scared, nervous, and happy all at once. My children will have new aunts, uncles, and cousins, how exciting. Some have asked why? I ask why not? It doesn’t mean I love the family I have any less, or that I am trying to replace them. I just want to know about where I came
My new family will not change how I feel about my other family members, it can’t, and I think I am just adding more love into my life.

June Stamp Club Creations!

2009-06-16T11:36:00.004-05:00

June Stamp Club has come and gone! Here are the creations! WE did a Googlie Eye Fish Card, a very simple Upsy Daisy Embossed on the DSP card! SO EASY! And last but not least our page for the month! A birthday page. OMG! Look how young my girl was in this picture. She really can't be 15!

Coming soon...Family.....

My Online Friends!

2009-06-13T07:03:00.005-05:00

I must confess, I love my friends in my computer. Some are long lost friends I have found on Facebook. BUT, I have a wonderful group of friends I met on a site called Splitcoast Stampers. I met these ladies by chance on line, the title of one of their threads, interested me. I have now known them for years. Here is the big tell. Several years back, I actually flew all the way to meet them in OHIO! OMG! I knew none of them, my husband teased me, "You gripe at Cody about his friends in myspace! How do you know these women are not axe murders?" LOL! I didn't , I just knew Stampers, Crafters could not be that way! No way! I admit I was nervous, what if I got there, and I didn't like them as much in person as on line! LOL! I loved them, we had the best time in the world. We arrived from 7 different states! These women....well, we support each other the best we can online, some live close enough to see each other on a regular basis. We call ourselves the chicks, and they rock! Below you will see a recipe, that I am using today at my CTMH party, it is from one of the OHIO Chicks! Here name is Debbie, she drives the bookmobile for her local library! Isn't that cool!

Grape Salad –by Debbie P.
1 - 8 oz sour cream
1 - 8 oz cream cheese
½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Mix these together, until well blended. Add 2 lbs seedless green grapes 2 lbs seedless red grapes Fold until the grapes are covered.
Sprinkle brown sugar over the top and refrigerate
for an hour or more.

2009-06-12T08:20:00.002-05:00

I have decided to change some things about my blog. I loved the posting in Caring Bridge on a regular basis, so I am changing some things that will go on here. I will continue to post Stampin Up, Scrapbooking, Craft Ideas, but I will also post some more personal stuff too! I hope it works out, and I would love for my blog followers to grow in size! Big hugs! This weekend, I am hosting a CTMH Party/Show. Close to My Heart Stamps....they are clear acrylic! They are fun! Yes, I am a Stampin Up WOMAN, and they will always be my first love. My feeling is a Stamper, is always a stamper, and doesn't mind trying new things. I have about 15 sets from CTMH! Then on Sunday is my Stampin Up Stamp Club! Wahoo! Can't wait! I have 2 cute cards planned and a cute page!

My high school friend Melissa, posts recipes on her blog. I am going to copy off her paper and start posting some fun recipes here! Yippee! Feel free to share yours with me! I love to cook, bake and want to try your recipes! Mel, if you are reading this, I need that award winning recipe from 4 H for myself.

Even More Scrapbook Pages

2009-05-22T08:57:00.001-05:00

And here are Sara Beth's pages. She is no longer in Scouts! My favorite pages I completed last weekend was the two page Father Daughter Camp Out page for Sara. It really turned out awesome! I am so behind! Must crack the whip! I hope you like my pages, and you get inspired or copy an idea for some of your pages! My favorite source of help is PAGE MAPS! There is a website, and a book! If you only do cards, on the Page Map site, she also post Card Maps! WOW! Love it!

More Scrapbook Pages

2009-05-22T08:55:00.001-05:00

Here are Cody's pages. These will be for his Boy Scout Album. I haven't even started his Cub Scout Album. I am so behind on my scrapbooking! He is 20 and has been an Eagle Scout for years now! SIGH! Crack the whip! Get busy!

Scrapbook Pages

2009-05-22T08:51:00.001-05:00

Here are the pages that I completed for Sam and his Cub Scout Album! I did these pages at the recent Scrapbook Retreat I attended. I worked on all three kids Scout Albums!

April Stamp Club

2009-05-09T10:10:00.002-05:00

We did a scrapbook page this month to celebrate National Scrapbook Month. This is a really old picture of my sister Julie and I! The 3 R's card is showing how to do direct to paper technique.

The last card is showing my version of a bandana technique. It turned out really nice. I want to play with this technique some more. Sorry my posting is so few lately! I promise to get better!

Embossing Folder

2009-04-02T11:59:00.002-05:00

STAMPIN UP's Big Shot is so COOL! I thought I would NOT get it! I already have a die cut machine, my Quickutz Revolution. I love it! I love it! Well, now I am loving the Big Shot! I refused to get the cuddlebug, and the cricuit. Boy, did I catch some grief over those.

One of the cards we will do for Stamp Club is an embossed flower. The Manhattan Flower. IT is beautiful. And I scanned it twice, but it just didn't turn out great. I did it in Very Vanilla, Stamped the words in Sahara Sand, and used Kraft Ribbon on it. IT made it so classy! I am sad the scan doesn't show how classy the card really turned out! I decided to post it anyway!

Just Ducky Easter

2009-04-02T11:52:00.003-05:00

Easter & Just Ducky!

I bought a tutorial from Gretchen Barron on two different Easter Cards with punches and the Top Note Die. Her tutorial is great. I must say it is considerably more than I have paid for them on Becky Roberts Blog. Becky has Inking Idaho, and is one of my favorite places to visit. You should also visit my friend Melissa's Blog. Sites that I visit has her listed as Vannoy Family! Check out my quirky friends blog! She is a long time high school friend, and a wonderful artist, mom and Teacher.....now on with the stamping.....

The TOP note bunny was time consuming but cute. I think if I was doing more than one, it would have moved along after the first one. Too time consuming for Stamp Club, but maybe another time for a Stamp Camp!

Just Ducky Card. My friend Debbie Prante in Ohio sent me this card. Well, not this one, but one just like it. I liked it so much I decided my stampers are doing it on Sunday at Stamp Club!

Embrace Life

2009-03-27T11:55:00.002-05:00

I love those words EMRACE LIFE! Reminder from me, live each day as if it wear your last!

This is another of my favorite card creations. The techinque for this card is one of my favorites! Super easy and SUPER FUN! Choose several different colors of watercolor crayons and scribble across a piece of shimmer card stock or watercolor paper. Using an Aquapainter, brush over the cardstock until you have your desired background and let dry completely. Stamp over the background using Stazon Ink, or embossing ink and then emboss for best results. On this card, I used a little Crystal Effects on the flowers to make them POP!

Best Wishes

2009-03-27T11:51:00.001-05:00

I don't think I have posted this card. I LOVE this card, it is one of my favorite creations, and I go back and repeat it ever so often. It is fun and easy.

Stamp the flowers in Black ink. Use sponge daubers & SU ink or your ink to color in the flowers. I went with bright colors here. I then embossed with Black in the words. You can use any words for a card like this!

Makes me feel like Spring Time!

She Stamps Alot!

Dynamis Chapter Christmas in July

JUNE STAMP CLUB

Where have I been??

May STAMP CLUB

Washed Embossing

Choose a busy background stamp and ink it in Versamark ink. Emboss using gold, silver or Black embossing powder. Use an aqua-painter to add a few colors of ink all over the image. Use as desired or punch out shapes from the colored piece.

April Stamp Club

March Stamp Club

February Stamp Club

Crunchy Apple Baked Beans

Winner

BLOG CANDY CONTEST!!!

Card Ministry

January Stamp Club

Happy New Year

Card Ministry

NEW CHALLENGE!

Black Forest Truffle

Christmas Card Class

OCTOBER STAMP CLUB!

The WINNER IS.....

Card Challenge Cards

Card Challenge

September Stamp Club

August Stamp Club

Ginger's Chili Dog Casserole

Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Greenhouse Gala Class

EXTRA EXTRA

Recipes & Summer

God Bless America

New Catalog & New Colors

Trip to Washington DC & Gettysburg

NOCC Balance 5K in Austin on August 28, 2010

Card for Friends

Stamp Club for June

Scentsy!

Say GOOD BYE

LAST CHANCE LIST......

New Colors & Good Bye to Old Friends

Smoochy Spritz

Twisted Rice Krispie Treats

Crop or TREAT!!!!!!

Projects from Friends

Sara turns 16!!!

File Folder Notebook Class

MAY STAMP CLUB

The WINNER IS....

BLOG CANDY CONTEST!!!

Stamp Club April

Rocking @ Rockin R

Eastern Blooms Class

Coming Soon! Eastern Blooms Class!

March Stamp Club

Ink Pads

Diet

Directions

Mix all ingredients in mixer.

Makes 12 to 24 muffins. Depending on how big you like them. I use a Pampered Chef pan and it makes 12 nice sized ones.

Cook for 20-25 minutes at 350°F.

They will be very moist.

Easter Bunny Class Coming in March

Let's talk Scissors!

Prayer!

More Card Ideas

More February Club Photos

February Stamp Club

Fall Photo Shoot!

Paula's Old-Fashioned Meat Loaf

Getting to Know you in 2010

RETREAT OVERNIGHT SPOTS SOLD OUT!

Crystal's Croppers Retreat

Sunday's January Stamp Club

New Year/New Life

A MONTH OF COOKIES!!!

Harker Heights High Homecoming

Last Weekend

Recipe Share

And the winner is....