TGIF and a Paper Prettie

TGIF!!!! It has been a busy week for me at work and I have been too exhausted to create. Lexi has been really missing our time together. I received this stamp from Paper Pretties on Monday and hadn't even had a chance to get a good look at it. Last night Lexi and I had a great time together. She is developing so much creativity. I even let her use my Copic Markers to color the card you see below. Once I put them away, she went to her second choice of markers. LOL The paper used is CTMH Aspen. And the sketch is SC213. I had bought the snowflake stickers at Target in December but never got a chance to use them. I love how the colors work with the paper. Have a great weekend. I have a workshop tomorrow using this paper and I am excited to get together with my friends.

Lilly & Billy

This stamp is a new release from Pink Cat Studio. It is called "Lilly & Billy Sweetheart Stamps." There are so many other adorable stamps that came in this set. I stamped my image first and then colored a little dirt path below the bicycle. I added some grass by making quick little strokes forming an offset "v". Then using a different shade of green, I added more strokes. Once my image was colored, I used a sponge to apply Heavenly Blue ink for the sky. The patterned paper and cardstock are from SU. The sentiment is from CTMH's "Soul Mates" stamp set. I used my Marvy Heart Punch for the scalloped heart. To make the inside of the heart, I used the punch and cut off the scallops. It would have been easier if I had had the smaller punch. So, I just had to make due. I always have to add some kind of bling to my cards, whether it be flowers, ribbons, brads or sparkles. I found this cute little heart sparkle in my embellishment stash.

The Baby Shower is on!!!!

Boy that sure was a close one. Bill kept telling me that a "surpise baby shower" was not a good idea. He would say "what if she doesn't come?" Little did I know that his prediction would come true. But, I have talked to Jennifer and she is going to come. So the shower is on!!! Everyone who is coming to the shower is making a scrapbook page for her. It's hard to see in the picture, but the little bar code says "Handle with Care. Special Delivery". I want this to be the first page in the book so show the new arrival. I used some of the things that I learned at Retreat to make this page. I sanded the cardstock. It brought out the white core of the paper and gave it texture. I used rub-ons for the word "blessings" and the bar code. The chipboard frame was sponged in baby pink ink. The flower is pink and the edges are sponged in Blush ink. Over the flower is a lavender button. To make it look like it's threaded through the button, I tied a knot in a piece of ribbon. With a glue dot I attached it. All used are from CTMH.

Yummy Blog Candy

There is some yummy Blog Candy up for grabs on Kim's blog. So stop on buy for a nice Valentine Treat.
Hugs,
Lori

http://craftsbykim.blogspot.com/

A Baby Shower Card

I am suppose to be giving a "surprise" baby shower this Friday night for a friend in my scrapbooking group. But, it's a possibility that it might not happen. I get together with some friends from work once a month at the local scrapbook store or my house to scrapbook. One of the girls is going to have a baby in March and we thought that it would be nice to throw her a surprise shower and invite people from work. She used to work with us, but works somewhere else now. The plan was to make her think that it was our ordinary scrapbook night and then when she showed up, she would be surprised. So, we planned this party and everyone is making food and getting excited. I sent out the reminder to the scrapbook group that we would get together at my house, but I hadn't heard from the mommy to be. Yesterday, I sent her an email asking if she was planning on coming. And, her response was "no". She has company from out of town coming for the weekend. So, now we are all frantic. I had no choice but to email her back and spill the beans about the shower. I haven't heard from her. So, keep your fingers crossed that she can work it out. I made this card for her using "Craveabella" and Bella Sketch #63. The paper, ribbon and bigger buttons are from CTMH.

More Retreat Pictures

The retreat is finally over and here I am all relaxed!!! Bill and I stayed an extra day after the retreat to do some sight seeing or whatever. While I was scrapbooking he was at Deer Valley Skiing. This turned out to be the perfect trip, because he got to do his passionate hobby, skiing, while I did mine. Yesterday, we went into Park City and had lunch and did some shopping. They had the Sundace Film Festival going on, so it was pretty crowded. Afterwards we went up to Deer Valley and Bill watched the football game and I relaxed with a wonderful Mojito. It was topped with blueberries. It was just what I needed. Here are pictures of the items that they gave us at retreat. I got this adorable tee shirt with a matching tote bag filled to the brim with stamps, rub ons, stickers and embelishments. Under the tee shirt is a Cocoa colored album. I had Janette sign it for me. I was so stoked.

Here is a picture of me with a couple of the girls in our group. This is the room where we did all of our scrapbooking.

Here I am trying to finish up a page while everybody went off to lunch.

I was so happy to see a photo shoot going on with the CTMH team. And, fortunately for me I had my camera handy.

The retreat was very long, but well worth it. It started on Thursday. Registration was at 3:00 and the retreat started at 7:00. Once we were all registered, Bill and the group of girls that I was with went over to Olive Garden for dinner. That night at the retreat, we made a mini album. It was titled "10 Things that I love about you" The album was taught by Nona. I wasn't able to finish it, because it was a 4 hour project and we only had 2 hours!!! So, I will be working on that this week. On Friday morning, the retreat started at 9:00 and went to, I think, 6:30 in time for them to feed us dinner. They fed us well. There was way too much food all day long. After dinner we came back into the room for an open crop that went on until 11:00. I needed all of that time to finish up my pages. We started again at 9:00 on Saturday morning and worked until 6:30. I have never worked so hard. I was so exhausted. Afterwards, Bill and I and a couple of the girls went over to the Blue Iguana for Mexican food and Margaritas. Then afterwards back at the hotel I crashed. We got home last night and I have nothing but happy memories. I hope they do this again next year at this same time. This way Bill can ski and I can scrapbook.

My layouts from the retreat.

The retreat is finally over. It was so much fun but I was so exhausted!!! I will share more pictures later. These are the layouts that I made. The first one with "Become" will have the letters cut out. Can't wait to get home and add pictures. I don't have any scrapbooks of my children when they were small. I am going to add those sweet pictures of them to this book.

I'm at the CTMH Scrapbook Retreat!!!

Hi everyone,
Just want to give you an update on what is going on. I flew into Salt Lake City on Thursday to attend the Close to My Heart Scrapbook Retreat. I am having so much fun. It has been a little stressful, because they go at such a fast pace. Today is going easier for me. I must have learned to crank up my scraping ability. Here are a few pictures. I will share more later. I am at lunch right now and have to head back in ten minutes. So, here are a few.

Hugs,

Lori

My Group "California Dream Team"

Me and Nona Pearl

Me and Jannette Lynton Here are examples of some of the layouts that we have done.

Children's Birthday Cards

What a stressful morning this has been!!! I slept in until 9:00. Got up and had my coffee and read my blogs. Then Bill reminded me that Lexi had a birthday party for twins to go to at 12:00 and needed cards. The pressure was on big time. Lexi was crying because she wanted to make the girl card. I was losing my mojo and time was running out!!!! For these cards, I started with Split Coast Stampers Sketch 209. The princess card is made using Creative Basics Boom-Di-Ada. The stamp set is called Happy Endings. I just love it. Glad that I had time to play. But, then it came time for the boy's card and I was out of time!!!

I didn't get a chance to finish this card off the way that I would have liked to. So, I am some what disapointed with the way that it turned out. The paper is Good Times and the stamp set is Cupcake Sprinkles.

All supplies used, except for the Copic Markers are from Close to My Heart.

Christmas Morning

Here are some layouts that I did using a January's Page Map Sketch. The paper is from My Minds Eye. The cardstock is from CTMH. I put the little trees on pop dots and added buttons as ornaments to them.

Nurse Nellie

I am so behind in doing the Bella challenges. Now that the holidays are over I am going to try and get back on track. I made this adorable little Nurse Nellie card for a co-worker who was in a car accident. I am sending it over with a Chicken Divan Casserol, brownies and the movie Juno. I hope it cheers her up. The paper used is from DCWV and the sketch is Bella Sketch #61.

Cupid Sweatpea

Isn't he just the cutest??? This little cutie is a "Digi Download" from CC Designs. You can order him from All That Scraps. I wasn't sure how these downloads worked, so I just ordered him. I was surprised that once my credit card went through, I had an email with him as an attachment. I opened him up and the computer takes you to the screen where you can print photos. I chose to have the wallet size pictures. I put my cardstock into the printer and I got nine wallet sized cupids. Plus I can print as many as I want. I kind of like this, because for one, you don't have to deal with storing the stamps and two, you have a perfectly stamped image everytime. I used card sketch #209 from Splitcoast Stampers. The paper is something that I bought a year ago. I can't remember who makes it. The little charm is from CTMH.

An Elzybell

My dear sister-in-law Vicki, set me the sweetest Elzybells and Sentiments for Christmas. I had some time over the holiday to play with them and here is one of the cards that I made. Thanks "Sissy".

Be Mine

I know it's a little early for Valentine's day...especially when I am stuck in Christmas mode scrapbooking my pictures. LOL. I decided to take a break and do the January Magnolia Sketch Challenge. Here is the sketch.

I have been wanting to use this Tilda since I got her a couple of months ago, but just didn't have the time. When I sat down tonight to make my card, I wasn't sure where I was going to go with it. I got out several pieces of DP and couldn't get any of them to work. Then I decided to just color her the way, that I wanted her to look. Once she was done, the card all came together. I am very happy with the way it turned out. The DP is "DCWV Sweet". The hearts were made using three sizes of Marvy Scalloped Heart punches. The sentiment is CTMH and she is colored with Copic Markers.

Christmas Eve

I had to scrapbook these pictures of my niece Yvette and her husband Edgar's home on Christmas Eve. Edgar hand sketched and painted all of these lawn art decorations. Every year he creates a new set for whatever kids movie is out. This one is of Madascar. When we were leaving, some people in a car said to us "We love your home." We told them that it was our niece's home and that her husband did all the decorations. Standing on the corner and looking at the house was a man from Dream Works. He said that he had worked on the set for the movie and had heard about this house. So, he came by to see it. He was happy to meet Edgar and plans on sending him something from Dream Works.

Layout uses all CTMH.

A New Year's Day Tradition

About 6 years ago, at this time, Bill and I went to New Mexico and visited the Santa Fe/Albequerque area. The square in Santa Fe was so beautiful. It was all decorated for Christmas. On the roof tops of the hotels, restaurants and shops were several lit up bags called Luminarios. And, hanging from the eaves were strands of red New Mexico Chili Peppers. It was so festive. The weather was so cold that we had to buy ear muffs. And, our noses were frozen. Eventhough it was so cold outside, the inside of the shops and restaurants were so warm and comfortable. Our hotel and the restaurants had adorable little stove like fireplaces. It felt so good to sit next to one and warm up our frozen hands and noses. Another thing that we loved were the warm dishes made with the delicious New Mexico Chili and the Posole. My Aunt Teresa lives in Albequerque and made the most delicious Posole for us. It felt so warm and tasty going down after a cold day of sight seeing. If you have never had Posole, it is a hominy and pork based stew. I found a recipe on the internet and am cooking it right now. I hope it tastes as good as my Aunt's Posole. If so, it will become our New Year's Day Tradition. If you would like to try this recipe, I have it at the bottom of my post.

Here are some of my memories of Santa Fe. Here is me and Bill at the Hilton.

This is the inside of a famous restaurant called Pasquals.

A view looking down on the squareRight along side of the Governors Palace is where the Indians set up their blankets and lay out their beautiful, handcrafted turquoise and silver jewelry. When I was a young girl, I remember my aunt and cousin, Patty coming to visit. Patty was my age and had all kinds of gorgeous jewelry made by the Indians. I couldn't wait to go to Santa Fe someday and buy some for myself. And, finally my dream came true.

This is the Governors Palace.

This is the Church of Loredo.

There is a famous story about the staircase inside of the church. The story goes, that a traveler stopped by this church and built this staircase so that the nuns could climb up to the loft where they would sing. This mysterious traveler, built this staircase with no nails. And, he mysteriously left when he was finished.

Here are some more pictures of around the square. I was taken in by the architecture in New Mexico. I was raised in California and hadn't done much traveling. So seeing this amazing place was just awesome to me.

Posole (Hominy Soup) Recipe
Ingredients1 1/2 lbs. pork shoulder

1/2 onion stuck with 2 cloves

2 cloves garlic, peeled

5 peppercorns

1/2 teaspoon whole cumin seed (ground cumin can be used in a pinch)oregano, pinch
1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tablespoon oil

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

pinch/teaspoon cloves

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

4 cups canned white hominy, drained and rinsed

3 to 5 cups pork broth from cooking pork shoulder

1 cup canned chopped green chilies

Salt to taste
2 whole jalapenos, canned or fresh, chopped (optional)

Preparation

Sear the pork in a bit of hot oil and then add onion, garlic, peppercorns, cumin and oregano. Fill with lightly salted water till meat is barely covered. Bring to a boil (skimming off any foam) and then simmer, covered, for about an hour. Reserve the liquid and cool the meat before cutting into small cubes (may be torn in the style of pulled pork if desired).
While the pork is cooling, saute the chopped onion and garlic till the onion turns clear. Add the rest of the spices, the pork followed by the hominy and finish up with the reserved pork broth. Simmer for an hour or so, and if you can wait, let it sit overnight for the best flavor.
To serve, provide chopped onion, shredded radish, pickled jalapeno pepper slices, shredded cabbage, lime wedges and tortilla chips (fried up fresh from flour burrito shells if possible). Each person mixes in the ingredients as they desire, dressing the soup with lime juice and topping it all off with the crispy tortilla chips. I’m getting hungry thinking about it!