| Work in Progress.

Just Us Girls #174: Sketch Challenge

| Published 2.02.2013

Wow. Over two weeks since I posted last...where does the time go?

I had aspirations of returning more to blogging in the new year.

Epic. Fail.

Well, I'll give myself a little break. Our new boy Parker (affectionately known as "Parker-pants", seen below) has been occupying more of my free time. In good ways, I might add. I've been outside more, despite the freezing cold, walking our lovely man. He has so much energy, I've also been arranging play dates with other friends who have dogs that can wear him down :) It's been a blast watching him play with other dogs - I've missed the "joie de vivre" that dogs have. Seeing him run and play is such a wonderful reminder - it really is the simple things in life.

Anywho, on to the newest Just Us Girls Challenge - a sketch hosted by our wonderful Vicki!

I took this beauty of a sketch and flipped it on it's side...

...and in the place of the ribbon tails, I placed my sentiment. The die cut is from my Silhouette Cameo - the floral circle was a Friday Freebie from A Little Hut. I just welded two rectangles to either side to create the band. I had a much more elaborate card planned (and started) but it just wasn't coming together. So back to basics I went.

I have to say, I really am loving the Cameo. It is versatile and pretty straightforward to use. Plus it works with my Mac seamlessly. Bonus.

Don't forget to swing by the JUGS blog to see what the other talented ladies have come up with! Their links are also in my sidebar.

So now on to pictures of "Parker-pants". Sadly, he didn't escape my nickname fetish...I always come up with some creative ones for my pets. Please feel free to skip this part if your pressed for time :)

Here he is playing with one of his most favourite friends, Quid (Parker's the golden retriever). These two just love each other and it's so fun to watch them play :)

Love this next picture - he loves to run :)

Here he's demonstrating his versatility...and by versatility I mean he goes from running like a madman to curling up on the couch. So darn cute though!

That's it from here. Hope your having a great weekend :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

TTFN,

Posted in Cameo, flowers, JUGS DT, Sketch |

A new toy...

| Published 1.14.2013

For my CR84FN post, click HERE.

Helloooo sports fans!

This here's a non-crafty post, my first in quite some time. Feel free to skip it if your pressed for time - I'm just sharing :)

First, let me start by explaining that I am no cook. I love to eat but I typically don't like cooking - I don't enjoy the clean up and I don't find it particularly relaxing. I'm lucky in that my hubby LOVES to cook! Thank goodness for the both of us, 'cause if it were left up to me, we'd have microwave meals or those that take under ten minutes to make :)

But baking....I like baking. Go figure. Not sure why, but I do. I like easy to moderate baking projects, nothing too labour-intensive. I like the end results and I like that I get to use cool toys like this one...

This was my brand new purchase. I decided it was time - I don't bake a lot but probably would if it were more convenient. I figured this would make it more convenient...at least that's how I justified it to myself :)

The first thing I baked were these Fudgy Oatmeal Bars. My goodness, they are gooooood! They were good enough for my normally financially conservative (I hesitate to call him a tight wad :)) hubby to proclaim, "I don't care what the mixer cost, it was worth it!". It's hard to see how great they are from just this shot of the pan but trust me, they are so good. If you like chocolate, oatmeal and walnuts, you will love these guys! I decided to give them a go after trying a similar looking bar at Starbucks. They are rich, no doubt about it. I would make them again in a heartbeat - the recipe is easy and it took a total of about 1 hour, start to finish. Not too shabby.

Course, I could have done it without my new stand mixer, but it made it so easy, and hands-free when it came to mixing the dough. Now I am specifically looking for recipes to use the mixer - 'cause it just so darn pretty!

Have a great day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

TTFN,

Posted in recipe, stand mixer |

CR84FN #70

| Published 1.13.2013

It's CR84FN color challenge time again!

How springy and beautiful are these colors?! When I saw the gorgeous graphic, I thought of sun and sand, especially since I live in eastern Canada and we have snow and more snow right now :)

I used my new Cameo to make the sun and the sand. I ran the sand cutouts through my Sizzix to give it texture. I also tried playing with shading chalks...with variable success. I've leaned a few more tricks so hopefully my next attempt will be better ;) I created the aqua sky with Distress Ink. The clouds are die cuts from Papertrey Ink. The wonderful sentiment is from DeNami Design - so cheery!

Make sure to check out what eye candy awaits at the blogs of the other DT members (their links are also in my sidebar);

Lisa Snowdy (our guest designer for January)
Mona Pendleton

Lisa Henke
Helen Berry

Mackie Robertson

Vickie Zimmer