DT Doodles Week 3

Here are two layouts created using the sketches from Kiwi Lane's blog for DT doodles week 3.  These were  fun.

A little secret.

I've purchased many scrapbooking tools over the time I've been scrapbooking.  I really love to buy tools. Anything that helps me to create layouts in a timely fashion.  See the thing is I take forever to scrapbook  because I love my supplies and get caught up in how pretty things are. This is probably a common problem for other scrappers.  I hope at least.. lol   

When I attended the Scrapbook Expo a few months I was just going to "find inspiration" and not purchase a ton of items.  If you've seen my scrapbook room you know I have a ton of great items to use first.  We all know that's not how us scrapbookers roll.  It was the last few minutes of the exhibit floor being open and I stumbled upon this booth called Kiwi Lane.  The women were super nice and friendly. They explained their product and the concept they created called "framing".  The product is basically  templates that allow you to quickly and beautifully (seriously you can look at their work and see how gorgeous their layouts are using their product and concept) design a layout.  I'm sure I'm not explaining it as well as they can.  I took a chance and bought the show special.  I'm so glad I did.  I used these tools a ton. I'm such a visual person so their templates REALLY help me.  A thing I've found is that now I'm using a ton more of my supplies because the hard part ( the design) is taken care of so now I can add the pretty stuff... :)

Ikea warms my heart

You may or may not know that hubby and I have been spending the last few years slowly updating our 1970's home.  The home was really built in the 50's, but the decor hadn't been touched since the 70's.  I never saw as much brown as I have in this house, brown walls, brown carpet, brown shag carpet, brown wallpaper..you name it.  We've never really renovated a home before so we are learning as we go.   I'll have to catch you up to speed with all the projects, but for now let's talk about Ikea.   I love me some Ikea.   During a recent trip this vanity caught my eye.

This vanity would be for a small bath that is off the master.  It's a pretty tiny bathroom so I want to make it feel as light and airy as possible.  I just love the size of this sink and the frosted doors. I know...it looks pretty modern, but I think it could work in that space.  I also purchased the small cabinet that goes with it because I like to have things organized and containerized..lol

I have an idea of doing the wall behind this vanity in all glass mosaic tile.  Like this one:

Yes, we have never installed tile before.  What's there to learn...LOL  Ummmm.  I'm sure a ton.  Thank goodness for google and diy shows.  And of course the hubby. I will post a picture when we start it and the finished product.

Until next time..........

Time flies when you are having fun.

I've been spending way to much time reading blogs instead of posting to mine.  I totally forgot I even had one.

Anyway, moving on.  Have you been to Z Gallerie lately?  This place setting caught my eye.   It had so much bling to it. And a girl can never have too much....LOL 

Look at this vase and the blinged out flowers.  I think each one of those stems were $4 a piece. 

 My favorite part was this leather placemat, although here it looks so much more sparkley than in person.

There are 8 seats at our dinning room table.  The cost on all these pieces would be to much for this coupon girl to handle. 

 I'll post more about some of the other projects we've been working hard on.  

Meal Planning

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I sure did. Christmas is one of my most favorite times of year. I think it has something to do with all the desserts...LOL

I've been doing more reading of blogs than adding to mine. One of my goals for 2010 is to cook more at home. I realize if I partake in Menu Plan Monday over at Organize Junkie it will really help me to not just plan, but to know how long the food has been in the fridge. I often find myself saying, "When did I make that?"

These are some recipes I want to try this week.

Grilled Chicken Quesadilias

Popcorn Chicken

Chicken Pasta Salad

Saucy Chicken Broccoli Bake

Chicken Pot Pie


Snack Ideas:
Pretzels

Easy Peezy Pizza

Wow. It's been forever since I blogged. Hubby and I went on a really great 30 day road trip and set up a blog for that on his website. That got me thinking, whatever happened to my blog. Well, I jazzed it up and will start using it again.

I'm about to share something very personal. Are you ready? I'm a visual person. Okay, it's not that personal, but it is the truth. On my quest to cook more and increase my recipe repertoire, I've decided to start blogging the food I'm making. This way on the nights when I can't figure out what to make, that is of course if I haven't been doing my meal plan..which I do, this blog will give me a place to quickly look at the picture and decide.

Please know that I don't claim to be a chef. I try and make food as healthy as possible, but I've noticed that we are limited by the healthy recipes I know. I'm sure that will change as I gain more recipes. Most of the recipes I use come from somewhere/someone else. I'll try and remember to make note when it is actually my very own recipe.

Here's the first one:

Quick and Easy Pizza

2 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1 Packet of Yeast

1 Cup Warm Water

1 Teaspoon Granulated Sugar

1 Teaspoon Salt

2 Tablespoons Vegetable or Olive Oil

1 1/2 Cups White Cheddar Cheese, finely shredded

1/2 Cup Marinara Sauce

Half Medium Onion, thinly sliced
1 Pepper, thinly sliced
3 cloves of garlic, minced

2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning

Directions:

In a large bowl or mixer dissolve the yeast in warm water, then add sugar and stir. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until foamy bubbles appear sporadically.


Add salt, oil, and flour; mix well until dough is smooth.



Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rest for about 10 minutes. Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray, and place the dough onto the sheet and start working out towards the edges of the cookie sheet.

Spread on marinara. Sprinkle evenly with cheese, and top with onions and seasoning. Bake in a pre-heated 425 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until cheese starts to turn golden brown.

Garage Sale Finds

Beautiful fake plant. Is that an oxymoron?
$3

These are the awesome bases of the slide out drawers that come from the Container Store.
$5

I later have purchased 3 other ones, again at $5 each.

Considering the Container store has them for a TON more, not to shabby.

Thread holder $2

$3. I had walked away b/c she wouldn't come down on price. I liked it, but I didn't have to have it. When she went down to $3. I had to have it.

Foliage $4

More foliage; this one cascades. $4

This came from Goodwill $2.50

My crystal collection:

Goodwill $1.75

This one was from Goodwill. $1.50

$2

Bowls. These were hard to find. Most people want to much for them. I believe I got this one for
$3



This piece was so heavy and cute.
I will flip it over and use it as a candle holder.
Best part $.50 cents.

I got two of these lamps at a garage sale. $5 each.
The wine holder I got for free.

My husband convinced me that this would replace the all expensive bind it all. I'm not so sure yet, but we'll see. She wanted $20. However, it was the end of he garage sale and so she practically begged us to take it at $5.

I don't necessarily love this print. I do love the frame. $2.

This was free. I added the tea lights. It is a fountain as well so I need to find a power cord for it.

Nice black lamp. $5.

A couple of items in this picture are garage sale finds.
The lamp which as a beautiful base. $3.
The plant in a basket. $5.
The table TV trays with the rack that holds them all. $7.

$3 for this really cool piece. I also got a TON of decorating books at this sale that were hardcover and $2 each. I regret not spending more time at this sale. It was mostly girl stuff so hubby was ready to get other sales.

Garage Sale Finds 2

I love wrought iron pieces. I had a wooden one but love this one so much better.
$4.
I splurged on this one.

Ice Tea Maker. Completely brand new in box. This was a steal at $2. I had wanted one of these for a while, but never made the plunge. Now that I don't drink Diet Soda anymore, I need to find other ideas for what to drink. It was so funny because Dave said, "Oh, do you really need that"...LOL Well guess who is the biggest fan of this revolutionary ice tea system... that's right - Dave... :)

I got two of black decorative shelves. They remind of large scallop edges. And, as we know scallops are hot right now.. These were $3 each.

Apparently, I'm not a good blogger

So it has been a few months since my last confession...lol

Things have been crazy hectic, but in such a wonderful way.

I haven't had much time to scrap lately.

I was so excited to do this layout. I was missing my Mom, who lives on the east coast, and remembered that scrapbooking reconnects me with the people I love. They might not know it, but it warms my heart to dedicate a page (or more) to them. I think that is why I've taken to this hobby. Me and my wallet....LOL

I don't know if you'll be able to read the captions. They talk about why my mom is my BFF. My favorite thing I wrote for the journaling is, "We talk at least 3x a day and yet somehow that isn't enough". That statement is so true.

I can't wait to do some more layouts.

Thanks for looking

My first card challenge

So, I like to read blogs. This weekend I thought why not create a blog myself. So I did.

Besides scrapbooking (although lately it's more like scrapshopping :) ) I've been really into making cards. I know, I take a lot longer than Hallmark. And, I know I put a ton of my heart into it. Sometimes I even hate to give them away, but I know I must.

I had to make a thank you card for my bosses (my regular day job) and figured why not try a challenge.

With that said, I decided to try Beate's weekend sketch challenge.

Here is a copy of the card I made based from her sketch/tutorial:



I wasn't sure how to properly photograph this. This first picture is it laying on my kitchen table.

This is it sitting on a pretty stand... Does it look prettier? LOL

The inside...