And the Winner is…..

Before I announce the random winner I want to thank everyone for stopping by and leaving a comment here.  A big thanks to Amanda for organizing the blog hop.  These are so much fun to participate in and I love seeing what all my CK Peeps have done with the challenge!

I went to Random.org and the lucky winner is commenter number 19!

That would be Tulip Scrapper!  Congrats Laurie!  I will contact you to get your snail mail address.

 

Thanks again to everyone!  I hope you have a fantastic Sunday.

“Leafing” Memories Behind Blog Hop

Good morning!  Thanks for swinging by my home in cyber space as you hop along to some of my peeps’ blogs for the Leafing Memories Behind Blog Hop.  You should have arrived here from Amanda’s blog Love Joy Paper.  The theme for this hop was leaves and I knew the photos I wanted to use right away. 

We took a trip up to Dresden, Germany last fall and we found this small but beautiful courtyard in front of an old church.  The trees were a fantastic yellow and there were huge leaves all over the ground.  The girls played with the leaves while JG went up into the church.  They had so much fun!
I just purchased some Bazzill Two Scoops Cardstock in various colors to include the “Moose Tracks” (rich brown color) recently and was excited to try it out.  I lightly sanded it to expose the vanilla color beneath the brown. I didn’t add a big title because I liked the title on the journaling card so I left it at that.

Here is a list of supplies that I used for this LO:
Bazzill Basics Cardstock in Apricot
Bazzill Basics Two Scoops Cardstock in Moose Tracks
Bella Blvd Finally Fall “At the Patch” and “Cute Cuts”
Cosmo Cricket 2” Glüber for the base of my ribbon flower
American Crafts ribbon – Brown
Maya Road ribbon – Pink
Stampin’ Up! Early Espresso Ink

Here is a photo of the church so you can see why we loved this little spot.  I loved the contrast between the colors of the leaves, the blue sky with wispy clouds and the gorgeous church steeple.  I love the fall and the opportunities for getting some stunning photos! 


Thanks for hopping over today!  If you want to win some yummy German cookies and chocolate become a follower and leave me a comment telling me your favorite fall drink and I will pick a winner Sunday at 12 PST.  I love apple cider but it is hard to come by here.  I cannot wait to be back in the USA next fall so I can get some fresh cider because I really miss it!

Next stop is Ashley’s blog, Ashley’s Paper Doll.  She is über talented and I bet she has an amazing project to share with you.  If you want to join in on the fun you can create your own leafy project and link it to Amanda’s blog to win a prize of your own.

Enjoy hopping along and I hope you have a great weekend!

It has been so long

I cannot believe I haven’t blog in a month!  I have been busy with so many things this past month that I have let the blogging slide even though I have missed it. 

 

In the past 4 weeks I have learned to make sandwich bread from scratch and have made it twice now.  Fresh bread is pretty amazing and as long as I have the time to make my own I will from now on.  The girls like it and it makes yummy sandwiches.  I have also made 2 batches of homemade applesauce.  When we move back to the States I want to learn how to can it so I can get the most bang for my buck.  I don’t have room in my freezer to freeze it so we eat applesauce at nearly every meal until it is finished.

 

Thanks to youtube.com I have learned how to crochet a shell stitch and managed to make a scarf.  I also made a blanket using a different stitch and well on my way to a second blanket.  Next up I want to make a blanket using the granny ripple pattern and some cute crochet hats.

 

I uploaded many, many prints to Shutterfly and ordered a free photo book, over 400 prints and 10 free photo cards.  Our internet is super duper slow so it really does take a long time to get everything uploaded.  I always intend on uploading after each trip but the task is so daunting that I never do. 

 

I have been spending too much time on Pinterest!  I am really addicted to that site and I love all the creative ideas that are shared.  Now when I am looking for a new craft idea or recipe I head there first to see what I have pinned to my boards. 

Of course I have been a busy “single” mom while JG is deployed.  These girls keep me extra busy!  For the most part they have adjusted to their daddy being away but Aubrey is ready for him to come home now.  She asks every day how much longer until he comes back and when I tell her she says that is such a long time.  Lolo misses him as well but she is really in her own little world most of the time that she doesn’t talk so much about it.  If JG calls on Skype and she doesn’t get to at least say “hi” that brings on a bunch of tears.  But overall we have gotten along just fine.  Just over 2 months in and the time has gone by fairly fast.  I am looking forward to the holidays since they tend to be a bit busier. 

 

I hope to get back into a better blogging routine soon.  I hope life has been treating you all well!

Upcycled Halloween Jar

Is it a bit too early to be thinking about Halloween?  I made this jar a few months ago and have been waiting to share it here. 



I used an empty 7 oz Yankee Candle jar and lid that I cleaned out and washed.  Does anyone else save these jars with good intentions to give them a second life?  I have about a dozen just sitting on top of the pantry that I have a hard time parting with.  I always think they will make a great container for a gift of some sorts but they still sit in there.  We will be moving next year and I need to use them or drop them in the recycling bin. 

I pulled out some super cute My Mind’s Eye patterned paper and tag for this and used a strong adhesive to attach the paper to the jar.  I traced the lid onto the black paper and then used a white Uni-Ball Signo pen to hand draw on the spider web.  A black pom pom, pipe cleaner and googley eyes quickly became the spider and I attached him with hot glue.  I also cut a thin strip of the black paper to go around the edge of the jar and that is also attached with strong adhesive. 


Top it off with some bakers twine and a tag and in 20 minutes you have a super cute container ready to fill with a bit of candy and give to a friend. 

I am linking up with Tip Junkie’s Tip Me Tuesday for the first time!  I love all the creativity that is shared each week and wanted to join in.

Her Smile

 

I always get sad looking back on pictures of the girls.  Lolo’s sweet smile just melts my heart.  She was just 5 weeks old when this photo was taken in May 2008.  Time is moving at lightning speed and my heart is begging for it to slow down. 

I played along with Frosted Designs Sketch Along Tuesdays Layout Sketch 22 from August 23rd.  I am just under the noon deadline and glad that I played along.  I changed up the circle part of the sketch but kept the cluster of embellishments and the flourish.  I hand stitched the flourish's and used stickles on the top of the white flowers to make them stand out.  I printed a quote I found online onto a transparency and added it below the cluster.  It reads “Her smile beams like sunshine, which fills our hearts with love.” 

 

 

Here is the original sketch:

 

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Blog Hop Winner!

Thanks so much to everyone who came by my blog this weekend.  I hope you had fun and finished with a bit of inspiration.  The winner of a RAK prize is #13 - Lady of the Lake!  I will send you a message on Club CK to get your snail mail addy.

Thanks again for stopping by.

Sketch Blog Hop

Welcome!  If you are following along with the blog hop you should have arrived here from Adele’s blog.  If you are just stopping by you want to join in on all the fun and inspiration from 22 more creative friends you can go to Amanda’s blog and start at the beginning.

Here is the sketch that we all used:


And here is my layout based on the sketch:



I changed up the orientation of the photos and moved the title but I stuck to the basic design as far as the placement of the papers and embellies.  This is the second layout I have made with the My Minds Eye American Made line they released a few months ago.  I don’t have many photos of myself in uniform so I do cherish the ones that I do have and wanted to get these put away.

I used some pretty ribbons to soften the page and some black Rainboots Thickers (my most favorite font of all the Thickers) for the title.  The flower is punched circles from tissue paper and I used a little bit of Stickles to help define the edges.



How about a prize for making it halfway through the blog hop?  Just become a follower if you are not already and leave a comment on this post.  I will select a winner early Monday morning and post the winner in a new post.  If you are a Club CKer leave your board name and I will convo you if you are the winner. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Your next stop on the blog hop is the talented Heather.  If you like the sketch and want to play along you can link up your own project on Amanda's blog for a chance to win another prize!